FEDSEN holds Governing Body Meeting at Bhatinda
Bhatinda, January 21, 2017: A meeting of the governing body of Federation of Senior Citizens' Associations of Punjab (FEDSEN-PUNJAB) was held at Golden Enclave – Tulip Club today which was attended by as many as 60 delegates from Punjab, under the tutelage of S.P.Karkara, State President. The meeting hosted by local Senior Citizens’ Council Bhatinda.
After the formal welcome to the delegates, S.P.Karkara IAS(Retd.) highlighted the achievements of the Fedsen besides future plans.
The Federation of Senior Citizens’ Association, Punjab (FEDSEN – PUNJAB) came into existence on 9th November, 2008 to promote and help formation of Associations of Senior Citizens in towns and villages of Punjab and to forge fraternity and close contact among the federated Associations. It was formally launched on 30th January, 2010 by Chief Minister, Punjab, S. Parkash Singh Badal.
The mandate of the Federation is to promote and uphold dignity of Senior citizens, to promote family values and to advocate for economic, social, health, continuing education, work opportunities and cultural needs of Senior Citizens and to convince the decision and opinion makers in Government,
Speaking to the media persons, Karkara said, Fedsen established in 2008 with around 9,000 members all over the Punjab, is a non-political organization, with the sole aim of welfare of the citizens.
He said, according to 2011 Census, population of senior citizens in Punjab was 28,65,817 out of total population of 2,77,43,438 i.e. 10.3% of total population. About 30 lakh senior citizens were on rolls as voters in Punjab for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Population of the senior citizens in the state is estimated to be about 30 lakhs now say 1:9 ration of over 60 years of age. However, in spite of senior citizens constituting about 11% of the total population of the state and about 20% of its electorate their welfare has not received the attention it deserves.
About 40 to 50 percent of the senior citizens have very little or no income and are illiterate and are physically weak and have age related health problems whereas the proportion of the population is rapidly increasing, joint family structure/values are getting eroded, he added.
Expressing his concern over the existing old age homes in the state, he said, there are around 2100 persons capacity with the old age homes and presently with just about 900 inmates but they are not running comfortably because of non availability of required basic facilities. Due to social stigma, the senior citizens having differences with their children are not joining the old age homes.
He said the demands of senior citizens, with their background, present status and expectations of Fedsen Punjab from the new government have been given to the four major political parties in the state – SAD, BJP, Congress and AAP, for including in their manifestos with a promise to do something for the senior citizens.
The demands of senior citizens include – announcement of statement policy for senior citizens, enhancement of old age pension annually and its revision after every two years according to Customer Price Index, Implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Prents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, Protection of life and property of senior citizens, Medical care for Senior Citizens, Establishing of Old Age Home at each district headquater, Senior Citizens Day Centres, Celebrations of International Senior Citiens Day on October 1 at State, District and Tehsil levels, Representation of NGOs active in the welfare of senior citizens in state and district boards and committees dealing with development and other welfare schemes, Separate Directorate for Senior Citizens as per recommendations in para 92 of National Policyon Older persons 2011 by a committee headed by Dr.Mrs.Mohini Giri, Concession in Bus Fares and other facilities and State Commission for Senior Citizens.
Karkara said, the Governing Body of Fedsen has decided to honour the best Senior Citizen Forum in the state which had worked for the movement of Senior Citizens.
We have taken up the demands of senior citizens with the state government but the government has not so far notified the state policy for which the draft is already ready for the last seven years, and promise was by Director Society Security, he added.
The changing family structure, falling family values, increasing elder abuse and declining family support systems have added to problems of the elderly. Govt. must plan to take the up-and-coming problem of around 30 lakhs Senior Citizens in Punjab to take them out of depression, said Karkara.
Giving a message to the young generation, Karkara said, “In our life time we have served the nation and community and now we wish that the next generation should understand their responsibility. The younger generation should take care of their parents as we have looked after our parents. We don’t have any specific demands from them except we should be respected and honored and our daily needs are fulfilled”.
