Imphal: The Manipur government on Thursday launched the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), an umbrella scheme of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at improving the quality of life of senior citizens.
The programme, which focuses on financial security, healthcare, shelter, productive ageing, transport and promotion of the silver economy, was organised by the Kangpokpi district administration in coordination with the District Social Welfare Office at Kanggui Christian College in Kangpokpi.
Delivering the welcome address, S. James Doujapao, MCS, Chief Executive Officer of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, thanked the district administration and the Social Welfare Department for organising the programme and urged senior citizens to make use of the information shared by the resource persons.
Resource person S. Paul Touthang briefed officials and participants on the legal definition of senior citizens — persons aged 60 years and above, and outlined their rights relating to care and maintenance. He said parents could seek redress through the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer if their children wilfully neglected their basic needs.
Referring to an order of the Thoubal Maintenance Tribunal, he said children could be directed to provide financial support to their parents and that similar protections were available to parents below 60 years of age whose adult children had the means to support them. He added that courts were empowered to cancel transfers of property or land if beneficiaries failed to provide care after receiving such assets.
The programme included a medical camp for senior citizens, offering free health check-ups and subsidised services. Over 60 senior citizens participated and were provided thermal flasks. A community meal was also organised.
The programme was attended by James Doujapao Haokip, MCS, Chief Executive Officer of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, Lamminlal Simte, MCS, Sub-Divisional Officer, Champhai and in-charge District Social Welfare Officer, representatives of the District Legal Services Authority, along with teachers, students and other invitees