The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Senior citizens demand fair deal

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Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Senior citizens demand fair deal

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: It was a rally of a different kind. A large number of senior citizens from nearly 40 slums in Bangalore walked from Cubbon Park to Town Hall to mark the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day.

In a bid to create awareness among the public about issues pertaining to senior citizens, slum dwellers in particular, the procession was taken out to Town Hall where a programme was held.

Bangalore South Tahasildar Venkatesh, who presided over the event, said that he was aware of the specific issues faced by senior citizens. “I will write to bank managers to participate towards this cause by opening zero balance accounts for these citizens so they do not lose their pensions to middlemen. These issues must be taken seriously,” he said.

The programme was organised by Akhila Karnataka Vayovriddara Okkuta (Aikyata), a federation of senior citizens living in slums, and Foundation for Education and Innovation in Asia.

The organisations placed their demands and enlisted some basic requirements. “We are asking for the formation of a department in the government as well as dedicated facilities and subsidies in government hospitals to address the needs of senior citizens,” Muniraju of Aikyata said.

The NGOs have also demanded revision of old age pension rates after taking into consideration the minimum needs of citizens, as is done in the case of minimum wages.

A 75 per cent fare concession in city buses and lowering the pension age from 65 to 60 were some of the other demands.

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