Senior citizens form a vulnerable group and special efforts are necessary to ensure their well-being. Pune, the pensioners’ paradise, has only 911 senior citizens registered with the social security cell of the city police. This is alarming because of the steady increase in crimes committed against them. Two reasons for the low registration figure are lack of faith in the cops and low awareness about the scheme. There is also fear that the information may be misused by miscreants. Only those who are too weak to move and who live alone have registered under this scheme.
It is time to recast the scheme to make it more meaningful for senior citizens. First of all, it could be handled by the social welfare department and non-governmental organisations in the field. Secondly, it could be made more beneficial and can offer a number of services to senior citizens. Cards could be issued to all who register under the scheme that will help prove their identity and for access to other services available under the scheme.
The scheme can rope in government and private medical practitioners to offer timely medical assistance, including home visits to the elderly when they fall sick. Social workers can regularly visit the elderly and make sure they are being taken care of. They can ensure the elders are getting proper maintenance, and can arrange for counsellors where necessary. The city police can keep an eye on senior citizens who are staying alone. This will ensure community policing for the security of senior citizens.
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