New senior citizens’ welfare department takes shape in Keralam

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Social Justice Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor (right) interacts with elderly people during the inauguration of the first anniversary celebration of Senior Citizens’ Commission in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: PTI

The newly created Department of Senior Citizens’ Welfare, one of the highlights of the first Budget of the UDF government, is in the process of becoming fully operational, with key posts being redeployed and proposals for a range of new welfare initiatives submitted to the government.

The General Administration department has issued orders redeploying posts, including those of Additional Secretary, Under Secretary, Section Officer, Assistants and Computer Assistants, from the General Administration and Personnel and Administrative Reforms departments to the new department.

The government had earmarked ₹10 crore in the State Budget for the functioning of the department and implementation of senior-citizen welfare schemes. Proposals submitted for senior citizens’ welfare include measures aimed at protection, care, healthcare, social security and productive ageing.

The creation of a dedicated department assumes significance against the backdrop of Keralam’s rapidly ageing population and the growing social, economic and healthcare challenges faced by senior citizens.

The government proposes to move beyond welfare assistance to the elderly, to create a comprehensive programme for addressing the needs of the elderly.

Silver economy, which encompasses economic activities based on the needs, purchasing power, skills, employment and entrepreneurial potential of older people, is proposed as an important component of the department’s work.

The new department has been assigned the task of administering laws and rules relating to senior citizens, implementing the State’s senior-citizen policy and centrally sponsored and State welfare schemes, managing the affairs of Kerala State Commission for Senior Citizens and that of elderly care homes.

Efforts are already under way to establish a State-level directorate for senior citizens’ welfare and district-level offices and a State Governing Council to coordinate all welfare measures for senior citizens.

The government is also planning to launch a comprehensive State-wide survey on senior citizens.

The proposed 24-hour helpline for various emergency interventions on behalf of senior citizens will be coordinated at the field-level by a Rapid Response Team which will deliver the services to senior citizens. A Field Response Officer will head the RRT to ensure immediate assistance to the elderly

A State Technical Advisory Committee and Senior Citizen Facilitation Desks in all local self-government institutions have been proposed.