Senate body proposes old age homes for capital
Proposed law aims to institutionalise welfare, protect rights of senior citizens
Proposed law aims to institutionalise welfare, protect rights of senior citizens. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A Senate panel has proposed that law should be introduced which established old age homes in addition to ensuring other measures for the welfare of senior citizens living in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has sent the proposed Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Welfare Bill to the upper house of the parliament for enactment.
The bill proposes to establish a Senior Citizens Welfare Council in the capital and would work under the Capital Administration and Development Division.
The proposed council shall consist of a senior citizen ‘of good standing’ would lead the council and would be appointed by the prime minister (currently a senior citizen). Moreover, the council will have three members each from the Senate and the National Assembly.
Islamabad’s mayor, Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman, ICT chief commissioner, Pakistan Baitul Mal managing director, Islamabad health director general, and three activists would also be part of the council.
The council secretariat’s director general would also double as the council’s ex-officio member and its secretary.
Moreover, the bill proposes to issue a special card to all residents of the capital who are of 60-years-of-age or above. Senior citizens can use the card to avail special treatment at hospitals, public offices, and public transport.
Card holders would also be exempt from any fee to enter public museums, libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
The government would also provide financial support to deserving senior citizens once the law is enacted and its rules have been drafted.
The government would also set up and run old age homes in the capital through the council apart from working towards their well-being.
Wide impact
Apart from specific facilities, the proposed law also envisages separate counters and wards for senior citizens at all hospitals.
Further, senior citizens would be charged a lower rate for medical treatment and medicine.
All public offices and banks would also be bound to set up separate counters for senior citizens.
All public transport, including Pakistan Railways, would provide a discount on fares for senior citizens.
The bill also seeks to penalise those who violate its provisions.
“Any person who refuses to honour the senior citizen card issued by the council or violates any provision of this bill shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of up to three years but not less than six months or with a fine which may extend to Rs50,000 or with both,” the proposed bill reads.
It has also recommended prison terms for up to three months along with a fine of up to Rs30,000 for any family member, spouse, or anyone who has been entrusted with the care of a senior citizen but they leave people at any place with the intention of abandoning them.
All offences under this bill would be tried summarily by a judicial magistrate.
The council would further formulate policy and devise proposals for the welfare of senior citizens and would conduct research and compile data on various aspects of ageing for policy formulation.
It would also take steps for introduction of geriatrics in the syllabus of medical colleges and gerontology at all other colleges and universities.
Should the bill clear the Senate floor, it would be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval before being signed into law.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2017.
A Senate panel has proposed that law should be introduced which established old age homes in addition to ensuring other measures for the welfare of senior citizens living in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has sent the proposed Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Welfare Bill to the upper house of the parliament for enactment.
The bill proposes to establish a Senior Citizens Welfare Council in the capital and would work under the Capital Administration and Development Division.
The proposed council shall consist of a senior citizen ‘of good standing’ would lead the council and would be appointed by the prime minister (currently a senior citizen). Moreover, the council will have three members each from the Senate and the National Assembly.
Islamabad’s mayor, Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman, ICT chief commissioner, Pakistan Baitul Mal managing director, Islamabad health director general, and three activists would also be part of the council.
The council secretariat’s director general would also double as the council’s ex-officio member and its secretary.
Moreover, the bill proposes to issue a special card to all residents of the capital who are of 60-years-of-age or above. Senior citizens can use the card to avail special treatment at hospitals, public offices, and public transport.
Card holders would also be exempt from any fee to enter public museums, libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
The government would also provide financial support to deserving senior citizens once the law is enacted and its rules have been drafted.
The government would also set up and run old age homes in the capital through the council apart from working towards their well-being.
Wide impact
Apart from specific facilities, the proposed law also envisages separate counters and wards for senior citizens at all hospitals.
Further, senior citizens would be charged a lower rate for medical treatment and medicine.
All public offices and banks would also be bound to set up separate counters for senior citizens.
All public transport, including Pakistan Railways, would provide a discount on fares for senior citizens.
The bill also seeks to penalise those who violate its provisions.
“Any person who refuses to honour the senior citizen card issued by the council or violates any provision of this bill shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of up to three years but not less than six months or with a fine which may extend to Rs50,000 or with both,” the proposed bill reads.
It has also recommended prison terms for up to three months along with a fine of up to Rs30,000 for any family member, spouse, or anyone who has been entrusted with the care of a senior citizen but they leave people at any place with the intention of abandoning them.
All offences under this bill would be tried summarily by a judicial magistrate.
The council would further formulate policy and devise proposals for the welfare of senior citizens and would conduct research and compile data on various aspects of ageing for policy formulation.
It would also take steps for introduction of geriatrics in the syllabus of medical colleges and gerontology at all other colleges and universities.
Should the bill clear the Senate floor, it would be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval before being signed into law.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2017.