Maharashtra State Policy for Senior Citizens, 2013.

M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON).

A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East) Dist. Thane. 401107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in To                                                                                                     Date: 11-12-13.

Shri Suresh Kakaniji, Municipal Commissioner,

 Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, Bhayander (West)-401101.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Maharashtra State Policy for Senior Citizens, 2013.

We are very much thankful to MBMC to give us 2 Community Halls, one at Mira Road and another at Bhayander and notifying the Policy for providing such Day Care Centres. We shall be obliged, if some Physiotherapy Centres are also set up in various places, as majority of Senior Citizens are suffering from orthopedic ailments. In this connection, we invite your attention to Integrated Programme for Older Persons, 2008 (IPOP) notified by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in which that Ministry gives lavish grants to Municipalities for recurring & non-recurring grants to the extent of 90% of expenditure for 16 very useful schemes for Senior Citizens. Major portion of such Grants allotted to Maharashtra States get lapsed due to non-utilization. Copy of this Scheme was given thrice by us to MBMC and meetings were also arranged with Shri Sambhaji Panpate & Deepak Khambit but no scheme is provided by MBMC even after constant chasing for last 4 years. Kindly, get these funds and provide us with some useful schemes under this Programme.

As you may be aware, State of Maharashtra has now notified the State Policy for Older Persons on 30-9-13 and more than 2 ½ months has passed. According to this Policy, MBMC has to take action on the following provisions by providing sufficient funds and initiating action now onwards:

i)                Develop concept of Aged-Friendly City for Mira-Bhayander areas to enable older persons to lead tolerable life by providing Day Care, Dementia, Physiotherapy, Recreational Centres, concessional transport, providing more parks, arranging variety entertainment programmes often, concessional entrance to cinema halls, celebrating International Day on 1^st October in befitting way for a week, free libraries etc.

ii)              Provide Warden Scheme effectively for safety of older persons by maintaining list of Senior Citizens through Census Department with coordination with Police. Provide protection of older persons from any type of harassments or exploitation at various levels of the Society.

iii)            Appeal to all Doctors practicing privately in Mira-Bhayander area to charge concessional medical fees to older persons and Chemists to give concession in medicines. Special Health Programmes for older persons should be promoted by liason with Public & Private Hospitals.

iv)             To set up Counseling Centres for aged persons, regular health checkups. Planning and monitoring and taking care of health, effective stress management for older persons.

v)               Establish ``Senior Citizen Section`` in your Office bringing all schemes for benefit of older persons by Central, State & Local Agencies under one Umbrella to monitor benefits being given in time by all agencies in Mira-Bhayander. Establish ``Senior Citizens Welfare Fund``.

vi)             Ensure that all Corporate Establishments in Mira-Bhayander spend 10% of their CSR funds for older persons.

vii)           Able older persons should be assisted for part time jobs and help them to get micro finance etc

viii)         To develop guidelines for amenities to be given for older persons in all Housing, Commercial Projects and other Complexes.

ix)             Giving training to older persons to enable them to lead productive & positive life.

x)               To publish the list of children, who do not take care of their parents.

xi)             To establish Committee to oversee and suggest all welfare activities for Senior Citizens with higher level officers of MBMC & representatives of Senior Citizens.

Kindly make your Officers and Nagar Sevaks aware of all provisions of State Policy and work towards welfare of Senior Citizens of Mira-Bhayander by taking effective steps to improve the quality of life of all Elders, strengthen their legitimate place in society and help them to live their last spell of life with purpose, dignity and peace. Everyone has to retire and then every individual should have chances and opportunities to lead an active, creative, productive and satisfying life.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Copy to M/s  Caitlin Pereira, Mayor, Shri Sambhaji Panpate, Deepak Khambit.