CM participates in Matri-Pitri Bhakti Diwas on occasion of Umesh Aggarwal’s birth anniversary
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today participated in the Matri-Pitri Bhakti Diwas programme organised at GMS Road in Dehradun on the occasion of the 66th birth anniversary of BJP leader, the late Umesh Aggarwal. He he paid rich tributes to Aggarwal’s contribution to public life. Remembering Umesh Aggarwal, the CM said his entire life was devoted to organisational work, social service and to the cause of the nation.
Dhami recalled that Aggarwal played a significant role in strengthening the BJP in Dehradun while discharging various organisational responsibilities and that he consistently placed public service and development at the forefront of his work. As Executive President of the Provincial Industries Trade Delegation and Patron of the Doon Industry Trade Board, he worked relentlessly to address the problems and grievances of the trading community.
The CM also observed that senior citizens are not only the pillars of families but also the custodians of the country’s cultural heritage, traditions and values. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to the welfare, dignity and empowerment of elderly persons. He stated that, under the Old Age Pension Scheme, a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 is being provided to about six lakh senior citizens in the state and that both husband and wife are being given the benefit of separate individual pensions, wherever eligible.
Dhami said that a model old-age home is being constructed at Rudrapur with assistance from the Central Government, reflecting the government’s resolve to provide dignified care to the elderly. He added that for the first time in the state, a Geriatric Care Giver training programme has been launched to create skilled human resources dedicated to the care of senior citizens, under which around 20 master trainers have already been prepared. For the current year, the government has set a target of developing at least 50 master trainers in each district and providing Geriatric Care Giver training to 150 individuals.
The CM further said that the state government is offering free cataract surgery facilities to senior citizens, with a target of conducting such surgeries for 1,300 elderly persons during the current year. Acknowledging the strains faced by family relationships in changing social conditions, he said the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act has also been effectively implemented in the state to safeguard the rights of elderly citizens. Under the Act, senior citizens have been given the legal right to seek maintenance from their children or legal heirs.
Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, BJP General Secretary, Organisation, Ajaey Kumar, MLAs Savita Kapoor, Khajan Das and Umesh Sharma Kau, BJP Metropolitan President Siddharth Agaarwal, along with several other public representatives and citizens.
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