State observes International Day of Older Persons
Ill-treatment of elderly a crime against humanity : CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, October 01 2022:
The International Day of Older Persons, 2022 was observed today at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen, Imphal East with Chief Minister N Biren Singh gracing the function as chief guest.
The programme which was organised by the Department of Social Welfare was also attended by Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo as president and Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan and Additional Chief Secretary (Social Welfare) P Vaiphei as guests of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stressed on the need to formulate a stringent Act to deal with the people who misbehave with their parents and force them to stay at old age homes.
Continuing that instances of lodging elderly persons have increased significantly in Manipur and such a culture will hinder the develop- ment of the State, N Biren maintained that ill-treating elders at their declining years can be rightly termed as a crime against humanity.
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N Biren maintained that the Central and the State Governments have taken up various schemes for the welfare of older persons.
Informing that due process is underway to increase the pension amount given under Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme (MOAPS) and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (IGNOAP) from Rs 200 per month to Rs 1000 per month by spending about Rs 20 crore from the State exchequer for beneficiaries who are 80 years and older, the Chief Minister stated that around 25,000 senior citizens will be benefited by this initiative .
He informed that 16,000 additional beneficiaries had been provided old age pensions under MOAPS during the current financial year.
N Biren continued that the State Government has been providing Rs 500 per month to 10,000 widows under Chief Minister's Widow Pension Scheme.
He further mentioned that the amount of Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension have been increased from Rs 300 to Rs.500 per month.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people who keep their parents at old age homes to take their parents back home and look after them.
"Legal actions will be initiated against those who force their elderly parents to stay at old age homes", he said.
Heikham Dingo said that the Social Welfare Department has opened a particular cell to look into matters related to inhuman treatment against older persons.
During the programme, N Biren felicitated acclaimed singer Konthoujam Bobin for his contribution to Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign.
The Chief Minister also felicitated some senior citizens and took blessings from them.