Thiruvananthapuram, On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said that the government will make a law to provide “legal guarantees” or protection to senior citizens, claiming that it was a first of its kind legislation in the world.
“But, more important than that, the elderly represent a ‘silver economy’.
The CM, speaking at an event held here to celebrate the occasion, said that he was proud that Keralam was the first state to establish a department for senior citizens. It is a major effort to make them active and ensure their participation or involvement in various things,” Satheesan said. He further said that in another first for the state, and the world, a law will be framed to provide a “legal guarantee” to the senior citizens.
“The senior citizens department is preparing a comprehensive law to ensure that. It will be immediately passed in the state assembly. This is not a charity by the government, it is your right,” he asserted. “They are a great resource who can accurately learn new things and share their experiences with society.
There is no such law anywhere else in the world, according to our research till now. As part of the initiative there will be a register of the senior citizens in the state and the problems they are facing, he said. The Kerala government is taking up elderly care as a comprehensive social responsibility, giving direction to the UN vision of “Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”, he said.
Elderly welfare is the responsibility of all generations as old age is the face of today’s youth,” the minister said.
