BHUBANESWAR:The State Government is planning to set up Social Security Infrastructure Complexes which will act as old age homes in every district. These will be built at an estimated cost of `27 core each, Minister for Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), Prafulla Samal said.
He was addressing a meeting jointly organised by SSERD department and HelpAge India to mark the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day here. Asking the department to ensure that schemes and policies concerning senior citizens are implemented properly, the Minister said stringent action should be taken against the perpetrators of elderly abuse. There should be specialised geriatric section in all general hospitals to cater to the needs of the elderly, he said.
Principal Secretary in the department Niten Chandra said the process for setting up Social Security Infrastructure Complexes has already started in Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Puri, Jatni, Ganjam, Nabarangpur and Bhadrak districts. He said Senior Citizens’ Wellness Centre is also being constructed at BMC Mall at Saheed Nagar here.
Crime Branch ADG SK Upadhaya elaborated on various measures taken up by the police for safety and security of senior citizens. Freedom fighter Bhawani Charan Patnaik was felicitated for his services to the society. HelpAge India State Head Bharati Chakra and senior journalist Sandeep Sahu also addressed.
