Finally, a shelter over Pune's senior citizens' heads

The Akurdi-based dispensary No.1 functioning under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) got a shed outside the medicine counter much to the relief of the pensioners, who are the beneficiaries.

For four months these beneficiaries had to stand in the sun outside the counter for long hours to collect medicines. Many pensioners had complained that they needed some shelter.

SS Ranade, the acting president of All-India Central Government Pensioners' Association, Pimpri Chinchwad branch, said it is good that a shed has come up for the benefit of the pensioners and thanked DNA for taking up the issue and highlighting the problem.

"We got the shed, and the seating arrangement inside the dispensary has been improved. There were just about five chairs previously, but now more than 20 chairs have been added," he said.

DNA, in its February 25, 2011 edition (CGHS patients wait in the sun) had highlighted the problem of the pensioners without a shed in the medicine counter at the dispensary. The authorities had assured to look into the issue.

Madhav Bamne, a pensioner and resident of Pradhikaran said, "I am very happy to see that the shed has come up at the dispensary. All the pensioners are very happy to get a shed outside the medicine counter."

Ranade said that request has been made to the CGHS officials to make seating arrangements in the newly built shed.