Bhubaneswar: Following repeated attacks on senior citizens, the state government opened special cells to deal with their issues at all urban police stations across the state in 2009.
Odisha Police issued circulars again in 2016 and at the beginning of this year asking all district SPs and DCPs to open the separate senior citizen security cells (SCSC) aimed at providing ‘safe and secure atmosphere to senior citizens of the society’.
Accordingly, one officer in the rank of Sub Inspector has been appointed as the Nodal Officer of the cell. He would be assisted by at least one or more Constables.
The order enumerated that the objectives of the cell would be to ensure safety and security of the senior citizens, to inculcate a sense of security and confidence in their minds, to guide them on appropriate safety and security measures and to verify antecedents of domestic helps working at their residences.
Apart from that, the officers on cell duty would also help the elderly citizens in their personal problems depending on practicability.
However, effective implementation of the noble rules still remains a distant dream on the ground.
The Nodal officers were found not well conversant with the laws related to senior citizens. During interaction with some of them, they claimed that many elderly persons are not eligible to register themselves with the cell as they have been staying with their wards. However, according to the guidelines, every senior citizen irrespective of his living condition is eligible to avail the amenities.
The officers have also not visited the houses of senior citizens whether living alone or with their families.
Jugal Kishore Sahoo, General Secretary of Federation of Senior Citizen’s Association of Odisha, has been staying at Dwarka Nagar in Koradakanta area under the Sahid Nagar police station limits.
Speaking to OrissaPOST, Sahoo said, “No police personnel ever visited my house or the houses of any other elderly persons who are members of our organisation in our localities or in other areas.
“The nodal officers are provided with mobile phones and vehicles but to the best of my knowledge they have never made any calls to the elderly persons to enquire about their safety or security during the last two years”, he adds.
Keeping in view the lack of manpower, the nodal officers at the cells have been instructed to constitute volunteer groups in their respective jurisdictions. The volunteers would remain in constant touch with the senior citizens and the police and the district administration. But the officers who are always quick to take the alibi of manpower shortage have also not created the volunteer groups that would have served as the bridge between the cells and the elderly persons.
Apart from that, the officers were directed to provide senior citizens with leaflets containing the instructions or Do’s and Don’ts while also issuing them identity cards. Nothing, however, has been done in this regard.
The senior citizens also alleged that quarterly meetings which should have been organised by the IICs of the police stations regularly are a rarity.
Speaking to Orissa POST, twin city Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said the department was undergoing a severe manpower shortage. “However, in a recent public meeting, I asked the officers to create whatsapp groups and add the senior citizens of their areas in it. Through the whatsapp the officers would be in contact with the senior citizens regularly. The groups will be created within the next one month.”
Govt lines up gala treat for older persons
The state government has decided to observe the International Day of Older Persons Monday with much fanfare by organising an array of programmes to cater to the needs of the senior citizens and also to felicitate many of them.
The Social Security and Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department has scheduled a walkathon from Master Canteen early morning which is likely to include their volunteers and senior citizens. Several citizens are likely to take part in the event.
The department has also organised a special programme of Bayojyeshta Samman for the senior citizens for their contribution to the society. A number of other events meant for the elderly like public meeting, cultural events, spiritual talks, musical event and hasya kavi sammelan have been organised for them. SSEPD department Minister Prafulla Samal will be the chief guest at the event. The Walkathon has been planned from the Master Canteen at 7 in the morning.