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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Senior citizens demand uniform pension, special ID cards
Bhubaneswar: Senior citizens have demanded uniformity in the monthly pension provided under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and issuing of special ID cards by police for their safety and security. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a letter to the director of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities department, the Federation of Senior Citizens' Association of Odisha submitted a 23-point charter of demands seeking a quick resolution to some long-pending matters. "We request the enhancement of the old age pension to Rs 3,000 for all other eligible poor and needy beneficiaries below 80 years of age, instead of restricting benefits to select categories aged 80 years," the memorandum read. The govt provides Rs 1,000 as a monthly pension to people in the age group of 60-79 years, and for people aged over 80 years, it provides Rs 3,500 per month. It was on the federation's request that the govt increased the pension last time in 2023. "It has been observed that except in Berhampur and Chhatrapur, police districts are issuing ID cards to senior citizens. However, in some districts, the police authorities are asking the senior citizens to prepare the cards themselves," the memorandum stated. Senior citizens demanded that police should facilitate the issuing of ID cards instead of asking them to do so. "We request the police department to ensure every senior citizen receives the card without any difficulties," it added. Senior citizens also pressed for the conduct of the state council meeting, which is due since Feb 2024. "We request the department to hold the council meet regularly to review policies and welfare measures for senior citizens," the memorandum read. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The federation has also demanded the extension of Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra scheme for the above poverty line category, the resumption of Bayojyestha Samman Awards, and the commencement and extension of the caregiver training programme. They also asked for the construction of Baristha Nagarik Bhawans, an increase in food grain allocation under the State Food Security Scheme, and the creation of a separate department for senior citizens' welfare, among others. "We have received the memorandum and forwarded the same to the departments concerned. We will take appropriate steps to fulfil the legitimate demands of the senior citizens," Deepak Routrai, additional secretary of the department, said.
New Indian Express
11-08-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Senior citizens seek pension hike, health coverage in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Senior citizens called upon the government to fulfil their long-pending demands including enhancement of old-age pension and inclusion of people in the age group of 60 to 69 under cashless healthcare benefits. In a memorandum to the SSEPD department, the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Odisha urged it to consider extending enhanced old age pension of Rs 3,000 to all poor and needy senior citizens below 80 years of age instead of restricting the benefit to select categories of 80 years and above people and those with over 80 per cent disabilities. They also called for cashless treatment facilities to senior citizens in the 60-69 age group under state's Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana as is being done for senior citizens over 70 years under Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana. They also raised the issue of state council meeting, construction of Baristha Nagarik Bhawans in all district and block headquarters and increasing food grain allocation under state food security scheme to BPL senior citizens. Though the state council for senior citizens was constituted in February last year to review policies concerning the elderly, no meeting has taken place so far. They have also requested formation of state commission for senior citizens considering the rising elderly population and their growing problems.
