Senior citizens’ rights will be protected: ADC

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 28

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sheena Aggarwal on Monday said the district administration was committed to protecting the rights of senior citizens and ensuring the speedy redressal of their complaints under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

Aggarwal was speaking after holding a meeting with the officials at the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

The ADC said it was the responsibility of the district-level committee to deliver each service in a time-bound manner, including the issuance of pensions, so that economic and social security can be ensured to them.

She said senior citizens, who are being harassed by their family members and children over property and rights, can contact the district-level committee and their complaint would be decided on time.

The ADC said the Police Department had also deputed an IG-rank officer at the state level, a DIG-rank officer at the range and SP (D) at district levels as nodal officers to facilitate senior citizens for speedy redressal of their issues. The police also keep separate records of such complaints, she said.

SDM East Amarjeet Singh Bains, MC Joint Commissioner Anita Darshi, District Social and Security Officer Inderpreet Kaur, ACP Surinder Mohan, Satpal Karkara, the state president of Senior Citizen Association, and others were present.

Suggestions sought

• The Centre has drafted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens’ Draft Bill, 2018, and invited suggestions or comments from people and other stakeholders on its website — socialjustice.nic.in — by June 30
• The Punjab Government, too, is preparing a new policy to protect the senior citizens and the draft is available on the website — Punjab.gov.in — where people can give their suggestions till June 7