Reform package: K-P’s new law to up the ante for welfare of senior citizens

Welfare council and fund to be set up to address older adult population’s needs.

PESHAWAR:

Unanimously passed by the provincial legislature on November 19, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Senior Citizens Act 2014 is geared towards introducing facilities to ensure the welfare of the elderly population.

According to a copy of the legislation, available with The Express Tribune, the government is legally bound to establish a K-P Senior Welfare Council.

The body is tasked to develop policy proposals to enhance the welfare of senior citizens in light of national commitments. Moreover, the council will also take steps to introduce geriatrics as a compulsory part of the syllabi of medical colleges.



According to the K-P Senior Citizens Act 2014, the council will propose a series of arrangements at hospitals to ensure better medical attention for the older population. Moreover, the body will seek to implement facilities of clubs for senior citizens. It will organise workshops and conferences to draw attention to the plight of the elderly population. Furthermore, it will press relevant authorities to accommodate the needs of senior citizens in urban and rural planning.

With a view to encourage the older adult population to remain active, the council will also develop senior citizens corps. This will ensure that their skills are effectively utilised and they are able to contribute to national development.

The minister for social welfare, special education and women empowerment will act as the council’s chairperson whereas the social welfare secretary will serve as vice chairperson. Two lawmakers from the K-P Assembly—from both the treasury and opposition benches—will be appointed as its members. Moreover, the council will also include two representatives from senior citizens organisations, two NGO workers and four ex-officio members.



Retirement plan

According to the new law, citizens will be eligible to apply for senior citizen’s cards when they turn 60.

This card will grant them the status of senior citizens and entitle them to a large number of privileges such as free entry into public museums, libraries, parks and other recreation facilities. A separate counter for senior citizens will also be opened at hospitals.

Once they have been issued these cards, need-based financial support will be granted to senior citizens. Furthermore, they will be entitled to concessions in medical bills and receive treatment in separate medical wards.

Welfare fund

Under the new law, a K-P Senior Citizens Welfare Fund will be established. The scheme will cater to the financial needs of the elderly. All grants received through the federal government and donations made by individuals and organisations within the country or abroad will be maintained in this fund.

However, the funds will only be invested in scheduled banks, national saving centres and blue chip secure schemes. According to the legislation, the funds will neither be made in stock market shares nor used for any form of market speculation. On the contrary, they will be used for the welfare of senior citizens.

Earlier, the standoff between the treasury and opposition benches had delayed progress on the K-P Senior Citizen’s Bill 2014. After the latter walked out from the session on October 30, most of the opposition queries on the agenda lapsed. K-P Adviser for Social Welfare Dr Mehr Taj Roghani had even introduced the bill for consideration and asked Speaker Asad Qaiser to incorporate amendments suggested by opposition lawmakers. However, Qaiser deferred the matter saying an amendment could not be passed in the absence of the principal mover.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2014.