Policy on Senior Citizens

HIS Majesty’s Government has recently approved the policy on senior citizens with the objective of utilizing skills, knowledge, talents and experiences of senior citizens in different fields of nation building activities. In the same way, the policy also aims at ensuring dignified life of the senior citizens by protecting their social and economic interest. The government has already started the scheme of providing certain amount every month as a token of respect and social security of the senior citizens of the country. Senior citizens have acquired enough knowledge and experience in their long life, which is the treasure of wealth of the nation. This treasure of knowledge and experience can be utilized for the purpose of development of the country, which is the main objective of the new policy on senior citizens. Despite their contribution to the nation during their lifetime, they were, in many ways, a neglected lot. After the restoration of democracy in 1990, the government was committed to ensure to uplift the living condition of all people. The government felt the urgency to bring about certain programmes for the protection of the rights of elderly population and ensure their well-being. The new policy on senior citizens is the part of the overall social security policy of the government. Statistics show that the population of the elderly people over 60 years of age in Nepal is over five per cent at present. As the life expectancy is increasing and the rate of mortality is going down, the population of the elderly people is also expected to rise in the future, which calls for a specific policy for addressing the problems of elderly people. The new policy has both long-term and short-term strategy for the welfare of the elderly people, which includes classification of elderly population based on the age, economic status and physical condition. The local bodies have been entrusted to collect information and categorise elderly people on the above criteria and accordingly provide help and carry out programmes for their social security and development. Under the new policy, priority would be given to setting up a consultancy center for the social security of the old people and necessary laws would be enacted to ensure that their property would not be grabbed by others, among others. In view of the poor condition of elderly people, the new provisions and policy of the government are, indeed positive moves for the protection of senior citizens of the country, which need to be translated into action as early as possible.

Of Cesspools & Potholes

THE busy Dilli Bazar-Maitidevi crossing at Maitidevi, according to a news item carried by this daily the other day, has turned into a virtual cesspool following the torrential monsoon rains. This apart, it is said to be taking its toll on the pedestrians and vehicles alike by causing minor accidents due to the potholes on the road. To the urbanites, the monsoon’s torrential downpour is a bane. For, the moment they step outside their homes, many of them have to watch their steps so that they don’t land up in the emergency ward of a hospital or a clinic. The simple reason being that the monsoon’s torrential rains tend to turn not only some portions of the major thoroughfares but also the lanes and by-lanes of their localities into gurgling streams or swirling cesspools. Not helping the urbanites in negotiating their way gingerly through such obstacles is the fact that the muddy streams and cesspools usually make the drains and potholes invisible to their eyes. In such a situation, just one single mistake in placing their steps could lead to minor accidents. In some cases, even worse. Especially when vehicles carrying passengers happen to turn turtle while slipping in such hidden potholes or drains. As if compounding the urbanites and vehicle drivers’ woes is the timing of those responsible for either laying down drain and sewerage pipes or broadening the pavements alone the roads and lanes. For reasons that are yet to be ascertained by the urbanites, those charged with the above mentioned works start digging up the earth and pavements as and when the monsoon rains are at their peak.

Conceded, most of the roads and lanes of the urban centres were built long before the need to construct broad drains and pavements and lay down sewerage pipes was realised by the concerned authorities. Also the fact that land is already a premium in urban centres, thereby deterring the concerned authorities from expanding the pavements of the roads that are becoming too narrow for vehicles, leave along for laying down the drain and sewerage pipes. Yet, this does not mean that concerned authorities should not go ahead with their drain and sewerage laying works. Or, for that matter, with their pavement expansion works. The more so if the urban centres like Kathmandu are to make their roads and pavements safe for both pedestrians and vehicles alike during the torrential monsoon rains.