It seems that proposals and schemes for senior citizens remain only on paper and no political party takes the initiative to implement the plans
Women and Child Welfare Committee of the civic body had proposed a pension scheme for senior citizens of the city two months ago in which Rs 1,000 a month was proposed as pension.
The proposal was supposed to go through the PMC administration to the standing committee to get approval. However, the PMC administration has given a negative remark on the proposal. Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak in his written remark specified that there are already three schemes for senior citizens.
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Under the Rajiv Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana of the state government senior citizens get Rs 500 per family. Under the Shravanbal Yojana senior citizens of economically deprived class get Rs 500 per month.
The PMC has also made Rs 30 lakh the budgetary provision for recreation clubs. For the additional pension scheme a huge fund will be required which seems not feasible.
Subhash Jagtap, NCP leader in PMC, said, “Three schemes are already in existence. The central government is also introducing a new scheme, which will start in two months. Three NCP corporators Appa Renuse, Vishal Tambe and Abhay Mandhare are paying Rs 600 per month to senior citizens of their wards as pension. We agree with Pathak that only pension will not solve senior citizens’ problems.”
Vishal Tambe, chairman of the standing committee, said, “The proposal is for every senior citizen of the city. There are over 10 lakh senior citizens in the city so the amount of pension will be in crores, which is not feasible. All senior citizens are not below poverty. There should be specific criteria for beneficiaries.”
Meanwhile, the NCP is observing Senior Citizen Year and plans to focus on the various problems faced by the elderly. At NCP’s anniversary celebrations on June 10 in Pimpri, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that his party is seeking special facilities for the elderly in the state.u00a0
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