Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the setting up of a senior’s  welfare corporation following a meeting with senior citizen’s groups early this week to discuss their issues and demands. Shinde has also asked the state chief secretary to implement the State Policy of Senior Citizens that was formulated in 2018.

Also Read: Senior Citizen FDs: 5 Tips To Invest In Fixed Deposits Smartly

Senior citizens’ groups in Maharashtra have been demanding better welfare for the elderly and had also prepared a manifesto for implementation of the same.

At last week’s NITI Aayog meeting, Prime Minister Narendra had emphasised on the need to develop policies for the elderly, and had also requested states to ensure that these policies are implemented at the state level.

Following the discussion, Shinde convened an emergency meeting with active senior citizens’ welfare groups and several state ministries on July 29, 2024.

The meeting, which included 11 senior citizens’ welfare groups and 19 government agencies, lasted nearly two hours. Shinde listened to their concerns and requested the chief secretary to make preparations for the execution of the State Policy of Senior Citizens, 2018. He also told the groups that the state government will make specific efforts to improve the lives of the older folks.

Shinde promised a special section for seniors in government hospitals, assistance for old-age homes, adult vaccination, along with the formation of elderly self-help groups (SHGs), a special help desk for seniors at police stations, and the establishment of a senior citizens’ commissionerate at the state level to serve as a nodal agency for grievances.

He added that the state administration will also write to the Union government to reinstate the railway concessions for seniors, which was withdrawn during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to the GST council to cancel or offer a subsidy on the 18 per cent GST on services.

Also Read: Section 80CCD: How Much Deduction Does It Allow For NPS And APY Subscribers

During their meeting, members of the groups expressed their unhappiness with the recent Union Budget, claiming that it did not provide substantial benefit to senior citizens.

Sailesh Mishra, a member of the Joint Action Committee for Senior Citizens, who attended the meeting, said : “We are pleased that the chief minister showed personal attention and listened to our concerns. Despite the fact that we were given only 25 minutes, he extended the meeting to over two hours. We are hopeful that we will soon see measures for the elders in Maharashtra.”