Liaison officers soon at police stations to help senior citizens
MADURAI: Police stations in Madurai district will soon have representatives of senior citizens as liaison officers to coordinate with the police in issues relating to elderly people.
Announcing the decision during a workshop organised by the district police along withHelpAge India on 'Meeting of Critical Challenges of Senior Citizens in Madurai' at district police office on Saturday, Madurai superintendent of police V Balakrishnan said, the major issue pertaining to senior citizens in the city is that they are abandoned by families forcing them to become destitute. As the elderly people are deserted by their families who do not want to take care of their old parents, the problem lies with the families and not the senior citizens, Balakrishnan added.
Moreover, most of the elderly people are unaware of the Senior Citizen Protection Act, which guarantees them legal and police protection. Under the Act, the elderly people can approach police as well as courts seeking protection from the families. "We are preparing the list of representatives which will be published very shortly," Balakrishnan said. The provision is present in the Senior Citizens Protection Act, 2007. He added it is important that people revive the tradition of taking care of elderly people and recognises the cultural import of it.
Speaking at the sidelines of the meeting, Balakrishnan said the liaison officers will be senior citizens from the region, who have a good reputation and are known for their personal integrity. The officials are in the process of selecting them and the list will be ready in a week's time.
Commenting on elderly people being abandoned on roads, SP said the problem is very much present in the district and they have been rescuing people from the roads. Ten days back in Samayanallur, police found four elderly people in a pathetic state, who were then admitted at a home near Fatima College. "We are collecting the number of such people in the roads to take necessary action," he said.
Jacintha Martin, secretary of Legal Services Authority in Madurai, urged senior citizens to approach the legal services cell in Madurai district court premises, which could help them get maintenance money from family members. "Many petitions are coming to the Legal Services Authority. Like we allot time to our children even amidst busy schedule, we should make a point to accommodate the elderly too because all they need is some love and not just money," she said.
During the workshop, a few elderly people raised doubts about getting legal protection under the Senior Citizen Protection Act. District social welfare officer R Ananthavalli explained about the government schemes available for the senior citizens.
-- Announcing the decision during a workshop organised by the district police along withHelpAge India on 'Meeting of Critical Challenges of Senior Citizens in Madurai' at district police office on Saturday, Madurai superintendent of police V Balakrishnan said, the major issue pertaining to senior citizens in the city is that they are abandoned by families forcing them to become destitute. As the elderly people are deserted by their families who do not want to take care of their old parents, the problem lies with the families and not the senior citizens, Balakrishnan added.
Moreover, most of the elderly people are unaware of the Senior Citizen Protection Act, which guarantees them legal and police protection. Under the Act, the elderly people can approach police as well as courts seeking protection from the families. "We are preparing the list of representatives which will be published very shortly," Balakrishnan said. The provision is present in the Senior Citizens Protection Act, 2007. He added it is important that people revive the tradition of taking care of elderly people and recognises the cultural import of it.
Speaking at the sidelines of the meeting, Balakrishnan said the liaison officers will be senior citizens from the region, who have a good reputation and are known for their personal integrity. The officials are in the process of selecting them and the list will be ready in a week's time.
Commenting on elderly people being abandoned on roads, SP said the problem is very much present in the district and they have been rescuing people from the roads. Ten days back in Samayanallur, police found four elderly people in a pathetic state, who were then admitted at a home near Fatima College. "We are collecting the number of such people in the roads to take necessary action," he said.
Jacintha Martin, secretary of Legal Services Authority in Madurai, urged senior citizens to approach the legal services cell in Madurai district court premises, which could help them get maintenance money from family members. "Many petitions are coming to the Legal Services Authority. Like we allot time to our children even amidst busy schedule, we should make a point to accommodate the elderly too because all they need is some love and not just money," she said.
During the workshop, a few elderly people raised doubts about getting legal protection under the Senior Citizen Protection Act. District social welfare officer R Ananthavalli explained about the government schemes available for the senior citizens.
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