GUWAHATI, Sept 13 - A delegation of the Assam Senior Citizens� Association met Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum to her, highlighting some grievances and demands of the senior citizens.
The memorandum called for, among other things, inclusion of senior citizens as representatives in the Senior Citizens� Advisory Council and Senior Citizens� Development Council as per the Assam State Policy for Senior Citizens -2016; setting up of a separate directorate for senior citizens as per the National Policy for Older Persons; enhancement of old-age pension from Rs 259 to at least Rs 1,000; and allotment of a plot of land for construction of an office for ASCA and a rest house.
The Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation of senior citizens and assured them of timely action on their demands. She also expressed concern at the growing instances of harassment and atrocity on senior citizens by younger members in families, as also over a spurt in criminal behaviour among the youths. She said that the senior citizens could play a key role in bringing back values and discipline in society.
