The senior citizens of Jumla have complained of not getting discounts including free treatment and reservations in public transportation. They shared their experiences with the stakeholders on the occasion of the 23rd International Senior Citizens’ Day.
Chairperson of the Senior Citizens Association Jumla, Tirtha Raj Bharati said that the rights and benefits provided to the senior citizens by the constitution has not been implemented at the local level. He said, “Some complaints are not addressed in the office. The head of the office and other representatives behave rudely. ‘ He alleged that the senior citizens are being deprived of free health care, deductions on transport fare, reservation seats, easy banking services and health insurance.
He said that the rights of senior citizens including free treatment in hospitals, 50 percent discount on transportation and free health insurance have not been provided. After the federal system was introduced, there has been a delay in the implementation of the rights of the target group and senior citizens. Bharati has alleged that they are being treated as scroungers visiting any government offices.
Dal Bahadur Khadka, a senior citizen of Tatopani Rural Municipality-6, Khadkawada, said that all the eight local levels of Jumla have neglected to implement the security, facilities, and rights of the senior citizens. According to him, senior citizens are being neglected in hospitals, public transportations, banks, and other sectors.
He further added, “After the social security allowance started coming through the banks, the senior citizens are experiencing difficulties because they have to walk for an entire day to reach the headquarters and wait in the queue to get the allowance. ‘ He shared that the senior citizens are going through this trouble because previously the allowance was distributed irregularly due to which banking system was adopted.
Dayadatta Hamal, an elderly citizen from Chandannath Municipality-1, Chalichaur, lamented that they are neglected almost every day and are treated well only on occasions and day celebrations.
Kiran Baram, Human Rights Officer of the National Human Rights Commission, Jumla, presented on the rights of the senior citizens, their status, problems and the way forward. He emphasized the necessity to implement the facilities provided to the seniors including free treatment, free health insurance, and easy banking services from the 50 percent discount for senior citizens.
Bijayakumari Prasain, Chief District Officer of Jumla requested everyone to be responsible for the implementation of the constitutional rights for senior citizens. She further added, “There is no other alternative for all the stakeholders rather than being responsible for their duties.”
Kantika Sejuwal, Mayor of Chandannath Municipality said that she has always been working responsibly for the benefit of senior citizens and last year’s social security allowance from the federal government was delayed due to interruption in distribution. She committed to not repeating it this year and shared that initiatives have been taken on time.