Patna. In order to ensure the welfare, safety and dignified life of the senior citizens, the Bihar government has directed to strengthen the facilities in the old age homes and make special arrangements for the senior citizens in public places. Social Welfare Minister Dr. Shweta Gupta said that service and respect for the elderly is the top priority of the government. Old age homes in the state will be further organized and standardized, while special arrangements will be made to provide facilities to senior citizens in hospitals, banks and other public institutions. He said this while presiding over a meeting of the State Council for Senior Citizens organized by the Social Welfare Department under the Bihar Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2012. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Department of Interior, Health, Finance, Urban Development and Housing, as well as members of the Council.
Dr. Shweta Gupta said that the plan to establish 139 old age homes across the state has received Cabinet approval. Their construction will be started as soon as suitable land is available. He said that the aim of the government is to provide a safe, dignified and better environment to the senior citizens. He said that it has been the social tradition of Bihar to keep the elderly parents in the family with honor and respect. For this reason, the top priority of the government is to run the existing old age homes with better management, quality facilities and sensitive care.
In the meeting, the minister mentioned his recent unannounced inspection of the Old Age Home at Gulzar Bagh, Patna, and said that the senior citizens living there seemed satisfied and happy. The elderly themselves said that they are getting timely medicines, proper care and warmth from the staff. He said that regular monitoring is necessary to maintain the quality of care for the elderly in old age homes and the department will continue to review in this regard. The meeting also discussed in detail about providing separate queues, special counters and special wards for senior citizens at hospitals, banks and other public places. The minister asked the concerned departments that senior citizens should not face unnecessary waiting and difficulty in getting government and public services, effective arrangements should be made for this.
A member of the council proposed promoting moral education in schools in collaboration with the education department to promote respect for elders and family values ​​among the younger generation. Supporting the proposal, the minister said that it is important to inculcate the spirit of respect for parents, grandparents and other elders in children from an early age.
The meeting also considered the establishment of paid old age homes. The minister said that private institutions should come forward in this sector so that different types of residential and care facilities can be made available to senior citizens. During the meeting, the council members made several suggestions including widening the awareness campaign regarding senior citizens. The Minister assured that State Council meetings would be held regularly to understand the problems faced by the elderly and to improve the facilities available to them. At the beginning of the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare Department Mr. HR Srinivas welcomed the Minister and gave details of the proceedings of the previous meeting and the actions taken thereon. At the end, the Director of Social Security Directorate expressed his gratitude.