Secretary, Social Welfare, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone today reviewed the modalities for ensuring effective implementation of J&K Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act-2014.The Act provides for comprehensive legal framework for elderly care system in the State including establishment of Old Age Homes and Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. It also provides for constitution of Maintenance Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal, State Advisory Council and Conciliation Officers to address the issues of Senior Citizens.Executive Director/Secretary, State Social Welfare Board, Dr Khalid Hussain Malik informed the meeting that the proposals for establishment of Maintenance and Appellate Tribunal have been moved to Planning/Finance Department by the Administrative Department.It was decided that till formal appointment of Conciliation Officers, the concerned CDPOs shall be designated as Conciliation Officers in their respective areas of jurisdiction while District Social Welfare Officers shall be designated as Maintenance Officers in their areas of jurisdiction.The meeting also reviewed the modalities for constitution of State Advisory Council and District Committees for the effective implementation of the Act.
Secretary Social Welfare called for effective implementation of the Act on the ground so that its benefits reach to the intended senior citizens in need of care.He said the project of old-age home at Jammu is in progress at a cost of Rs 9.73 crore and all Deputy Commissioners have been asked to identify land at the earliest for establishment of Old-Age Homes in their respective districts.The meeting also discussed the modalities for institution of Welfare Fund for Senior Citizens to implement programmes for welfare and rehabilitation of senior citizens and to meet their medical exigencies.Representatives of pensioners’ associations present in the meeting also gave their suggestions on how to make elderly care system more effective in the State. Among others Commissioner Disabilities Mohammad Iqbal Lone, Director Social Welfare Department Jammu Dr Bharat Bhushan, Additional Secretary Social Welfare Department, Babu Ram, Director ICDS, Veer Ji Hangloo, Officers of Social Welfare Department and representatives of Pensioner’s and Senior Citizen’s Association attended the meeting.