PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that pension is being directly credited to the bank accounts of approximately 6,00,000 elderly in the State through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He made this announcement during a State-level event held on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons on Wednesday.
During the event, the CM honoured senior citizens and administered the Senior Citizens’ Honour Pledge. He also planted a tree and inaugurated a free ambulance service dedicated to the elderly, along with a walkathon rally for them.
CM Dhami emphasised that senior citizens are the pillars of our society, whose blessings and experiences guide us all. He stated that the government is making continuous efforts to ensure the respect, safety, health and well-being of the elderly through various State and central government schemes.
He referred to numerous welfare initiatives, including the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana and the Old Age Pension Scheme.
CM said that the old age homes in the State are being strengthened. Currently, government-run old age homes are operating in Bageshwar, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, with new facilities under construction in Dehradun, Almora and Champawat. In collaboration with the central government, a model old age home is being built in Rudrapur and Udham Singh Nagar district. The establishment of old age homes is also in progress in Rudraprayag, Tehri, Pauri and Pithoragarh, he said.
Additionally, Dhami said that under the Geriatric Caregiver Training Programme, experts are being trained to care for senior citizens, with a goal of training 150 master trainers and caregivers this year. He said, “Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, assistive devices are being provided to the elderly. This year, we aim to conduct free cataract surgeries for 1,300 senior citizens. The state has also implemented the Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act to protect the rights of senior citizens.”
