Bhubaneswar: The state government has launched an initiative to revise its Senior Citizens Policy to adapt to changing demographics and evolving scenarios, officials said. To facilitate the revision, the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organised a consultative meeting here, Thursday.
The meeting was attended by senior officers, representatives from various organisations, and academics who discussed several aspects related to the revision of the policy. It was emphasised during the meeting that the issues faced by senior citizens are multidimensional and require collaboration across government departments, public and private sectors, NGOs, voluntary organizations, civil society, and local communities, an official said. SSEPD principal secretary Bishnupada Sethi highlighted that Odisha is expected to have approximately 70 lakh senior citizens by 2026. He stressed on the importance of recognising the diversity within the senior citizen population and providing tailored support accordingly.
The state government has prioritised the development and promotion of participatory processes, critical service delivery, and empathetic initiatives for senior citizens, he said. Suggestions made during the meeting included the recognition of the need for sustainable support systems to reduce poverty and vulnerability among senior citizens, as well as improving their health and wellbeing. Strategic interventions such as income security, health security, safety, welfare, and intergenerational bonding, along with facilitating their participatory role in community contributions, were also discussed as part of the revised policy framework.