Senior citizens honoured, pension hike assured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2011: Presentation of shawls and assurance by the Social Welfare Minister to double the old age pension amount marked the observance of International Day of Older Persons organised today by Social Welfare Department at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Theme of the observance this year is 'Health Care of Senior Citizens' .

Highlighting that the annual observance is being held as per resolution adopted at a United Nations General Assembly, Social Welfare Minister N Loken as chief guest of the observance said the event had been a regular feature here in the State since 1990 .

While prevailing upon the younger generation to ensure wellbeing of their parents, the Minister also announced hike in the old age pension to Rs 200 from the current amount of Rs 100 .

This increase for citizens of 60 years or above, he said, is in congruous with the amount of old age pension benefit provided by the Central Government under the indira Gandhi Old Age pension.

N Loken said the State Cabinet will soon take a decision to implement hike of the old age pension amount and cautioned that ill-treatment of the elderly citizens is punishable as an Act passed in 2002 .

A senior citizen honoured at Wangbal and (right) observance at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen

Further announcing that pension to widows of 40 years of age and above will be increased to Rs 500, the Minister conceded that the State Government is unlikely to emulate the noble scheme proposed by the Central Government for construction of houses for the elderly persons.

Commissioner (Social Welfare) Letkhogin Haokip, who also addressed the gathering prevailed upon the younger generation to accord top priority in welfare activities of the ageing parents.

While opining that there might be not many individuals who could remember name of the grand-father's father, he also strongly suggested that every family record names of the forefathers and their invaluable contribution to an individual family for reference by the upcoming generation.

The Commissioner also cited respect by the society to family which regards the senior citizen to underscore the importance of honouring the aged persons.

Reflecting on the presentation of shawls to some elderly citizens selected from all the nine districts on the occasion, he said Social Welfare Department will take the initiative to organise lunch for the senior citizens at the next observance.

Under the aegis of District Social Welfare Department, Thoubal the observance function was held at Kshetri Shanglen with Thoubal Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha Md Ata-ur-Rahman and (Retd) Chief Medical Officer Ksh Manglem as the chief guest and president respectively.

Token gifts were presented to 123 senior citizens from different parts of Thoubal district.

The observance was also held at Wangbal (Thoubal) Old Age Home run by Integrated Rural Development and Educational Organisation.

As a part of the observance organised by Pioneer Health Club, Khurai Tinsid Road rice, potatoes and fruits were donated for the elderly citizens residing at the Home.

As chief guest of the solemn function, Pioneer Health Club president Thokchom Manihar lamented that the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 is yet to be implemented in Manipur although the same is effective in eight States of the country.

He also called upon all concerned to contribute their mite in the effective implementation of the Act in Manipur to check exploitation and abuse of the senior citizens by their children.

Wangbal Lower Primary School headmaster Th Bhagirath and former president of Pioneer Health Club Dr S Babu also graced the occasion as the functional president and guest of honour respectively .