Imphal: Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh Friday launched the Elder Line- a dedicated National Helpline for Senior Citizen toll-free no. 14567 on the occasion of cleanliness drive as part of Seva Aur Samarpan Abhiyan at Shamu Makhong, Khwairamband Bazar, Imphal.
This was stated by Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director (Social Welfare) in a Press Conference held at Social Welfare office, Imphal.
Uttam said that the Elder Line is set up collectively by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, National Institute of Social Defence and the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur with the objective of expeditiously attending to the complaints and grievances of the senior citizens of the State.
The Elder Line is managed by the implementing agency ‘Alankit Assignments Limited’ and will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all weekdays. It has two key components, a connect centre/call centre that has officers who empathise with the senior citizen and understand the problem faced by the senior citizen and field support that takes care of ‘on the field’ intervention that is required out of the service requested by the senior citizen.
Social Welfare Director appealed to the Senior Citizens, their caregivers or anybody representing the senior citizen to call and avail the Elder Line for various services which include, (i) Information –provide information related to eldercare service providers, pension, elderly govt. schemes, benefits etc, based on the caller’s requirements (ii) Guidance – guide senior citizens on legal & pension (Social security pension) related issues (iii) Emotional support – the team would offer counselling support and if required connect with partners specialized in those fields ( eg, physiotherapists, psychiatrists etc) (iv) Rescue & Reunion of Homeless Elderly – the team will facilitate the rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange for their accommodation in Old Age Homes and facilitate the process towards reuniting the elder persons with the family (v) Abuse – the helpline team, through the Field Officers, will assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through Maintenance Tribunals (for the enforcement of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007) or with the help of other stakeholders empanelled with the Elder Line for facilitating the cause of the senior citizens as in whenever it is deemed appropriately required.
He further said that with the launching of the Elder Line, the problems and grievances of senior citizens are expected to be resolved expeditiously and help them to age with dignity and joy.
With the launching of Elder Line in Manipur today, Elder Line has been launched in 12 states of the country. The ministry has a target to launch the same in all the States of India by 1st October, 2021, the Director added.
During the Press conference, a sum of Rs 20,000/- (twenty thousand) only as a one-time benefit under the National Family Benefit Scheme was also handed over by Ng. Uttam Singh to Moirangthem Pushpa Chanu of Huidrom Makha Leikai, Sekta, Imphal East whose husband (Late) Huidrom Vivekanta Meitei expired due to an unfortunate road accident on August 11, 2021 at Chingarel Tezpur, Imphal East while he was on his way to collect fertilizer for rice cultivation.
The Press conference was attended by Assistant Vice-President, Alankit Assignment Limited, Sanjay Bhat, Zonal Head, East Zone, Alankit Monalisa Borkakoty, and officials of Social Welfare Department and Elderline, Manipur.
