Welfare Of Senior Citizens
MINISTER for Women, Children and Social Welfare Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma has underlined the need for carrying out especial programmes for the welfare of senior citizens in the country. Inaugurating a workshop organised to solicit suggestions for laws concerning the rights and interest of the senior citizens, Minister Bishwokarma said that it is the duty of all people to respect senior citizens. The situation and condition of the senior citizens in Nepal is unsatisfactory to say the least. As the people get older and become unable to work, they are often neglected by their own family members. Despite having family members, many senior citizens live pitiable lives. As they are neglected, they take refugee in the old age homes. However, there are few homes for the elderly people. The absence of necessary laws is attributed to the sorry state of the senior citizens. In many countries of the world, especially in the West, senior citizens get special allowances, which are sufficient for their livelihood.
But Nepal does not have such a policy. A decade ago, a system of providing allowances to senior citizens over 75 years was introduced, but the money is so meagre that it does not help meet their basic needs. The social attitude is important for improving the condition of the senior citizens. The younger generation should own the responsibility of taking care of the older generation. For this, a legal mechanism is necessary, which would make it mandatory for the younger generation to take special care of the senior citizens. So far, the senior citizens are being neglected not only by their families but also by the state. There are laws concerning the rights of all sectors including children, women, Dalits and others. But there is no specific law for the protection and promotion of the rights of the senior citizens. Senior citizens also have the right to live dignified lives and be cared for by their family members and the society. Many senior citizens have been denied this right. This is a denial of a universal human right. Considering all these factors, the government is now working to draft a law for the rights and interests of the senior citizens, for which suggestions are being solicited from all sectors. The law for the senior citizens is necessary, and protecting their rights is a must. The society and the state should be sensitive towards the welfare of the senior citizens, and necessary programmes must be brought about for this.
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