GUWAHATI, June 5 � The Assam Senior Citizens� Association while expressing satisfaction over the Union government�s policy for the welfare of senior citizens, expressed concern that the State is yet to announce a similar policy.
In a special general meeting held today the association further demanded that the pension available to the senior citizens should be increased to at least Rs 600 by the Assam government. It should be ensured that only deserving people got the pension.
It was also resolved that a joint director level official should be given the responsibility of properly implementing the schemes related to welfare of the senior citizens in the Social Welfare Department.
In another resolution that was adopted, the association emphasized the need to have better medical facilities for senior citizens, and added that medical colleges of the State should have geriatrics departments.
The association also called upon the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to come forward for talks, for a peaceful solution the problems.
A new committee was formed in the meeting with Kamaleswar Bora as the president, Professor Mahesh Bhuyan as the working president and DN Chakrabarty as the general secretary.
There will be four vice presidents, five departmental secretaries and 21 other members in the committee.
DN Chakrabarty, in his welcome address, dwelt on the special role played by the elderly people in bringing about socio-economic transformation in the country.
Delegates from different districts and sub-divisions highlighted the major problems of the State and offered suggestions for proper solutions of these problems.
Bora, in his presidential speech, said that the country was passing through a critical time as many national and international forces are hostile to the country. He called upon the elders to hold upon the younger generation noble ideals and principles.
Earlier, PK Mahanta welcomed all the delegates from different districts.
