Chandigarh, September 2: Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and under the guidance of Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, the department has launched a special awareness campaign to promote awareness of the Care and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, in the state. This campaign will continue until September 16.
Revealing more details, the Cabinet Minister mentioned that the department is conducting this special campaign in collaboration with the non-governmental organization Helppage India. The goal is to make the people of the state aware of the Care and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007, as well as other schemes aimed at the welfare of elderly individuals.
Dr. Baljit Kaur explained that the act includes provisions to protect the property and lives of elderly persons. Information about the schemes, acts and their rights, which are administered by the department for senior citizens, will be provided by the Regional Officers/District Social Security Officers of the Social Security Department.
The minister added that during this campaign, senior citizens will be informed about the Care and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007, Old Age Pension, Senior Citizen Homes, and the Helpline Punjab-14567. A short film created by the department to raise awareness among senior citizens about their rights under the Senior Citizens Act-2007, titled 'Sade Bajurg Sada Mann Ehna Da Karo Dilo Sanman,' will also be screened.
She emphasized that to protect the lives and property of the elderly, the relevant Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) serves as the Presiding Officer of the Maintenance Tribunal, and the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district acts as the appellate authority. The designated Maintenance Officer is the District Social Security Officer. Elderly persons can file complaints regarding their problems before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in the Tribunal.
The Cabinet Minister mentioned that, in addition to this, the non-governmental organization HelpAge India operates the Helpline 14567, dedicated to resolving the problems and complaints of senior citizens. This helpline provides information and assistance in obtaining legal help for elderly individuals. The minister urged senior citizens to participate in this awareness campaign to become informed about their rights.
Director of Social Security Women and Child Development Department Mrs. Madhvi Kataria stated that during this awareness campaign, events will be held at various locations in the state. On September 4, an event will take place at the Senior Citizens Association, Gandhi Public School, Bela Chowk Rupnagar, at 3:30 pm, and another at the Senior Citizens Home in Village Jeevanwal Babri (Near Civil Hospital) Gurdaspur at 11:00 AM people will be made aware.
Similarly at Senior Citizens Home, Village Rongla, Patiala at 11.00 am, on 5th September at Senior Citizens Association, Mohali, Community Centre, Phase-7, SAS Nagar at 4.30 pm, Senior Citizens Centre ITI at Chowk Rajpura at 12.00 noon, September 6 at Old Age Home, Anand Nagar Rajpura at 12.00 noon, September 8 at Government Primary School Village Jattan Gurdaspur at 3.00 pm and Gurudwara Sahib Village Ghanula Rupnagar at 10.30 am, September 9 Gurdwara Sahib Hira Bagh near New Bus Stand Patiala at 11.00 AM, Senior Citizens Association, Fish Park, Gurdaspur, September 11 at Gurudwara Sahib Village Sahur Gurdaspur at 11.30 AM and September 16 Senior Citizen Forum at Gurudwara Sahib, Bishanpura, Zirakpur at 3.30 PM people will be made aware.