Budgetary measures sought for senior citizens
Dhaka, May 20 (UNB) – The government should have specific budgetary measures with increased allocations to help ensure a better life for the country’s senior citizens, said a group of citizens on Sunday.
“At present, around 7 percent or 1.20 crore people of the country’s total population are aged ones…it’s the right time to take sustainable measures for the welfare of the elderly people,” secretary general of Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM) Prof Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman told a press conference at the National Press Club.
Rahman said the number of older people will stand at 2 crore or 10 percent of the country’s total population by 2025 as the growth of elderly people would exceed the growth rate of children.
He demanded measures in the next budget to have increased allocations for the old age allowance programme and raise the number of beneficiaries. “The amount for the old age allowance programme was not increased in the last two national budgets.”
Prof Rahman said the government should take steps to preserve at least two seats in each public transport with reduced fare for the country’s senior citizens.
He urged the policymakers to include a chapter, ‘Welfare of Aged People and Care’, in the curricula at all levels of education.
The other demands of the association include extending the retirement age of public servants up to 60 years from the existing 59 years, implementation of National Policy on Older People and increasing the annual allocation for BAAIGM to Tk 5 crore from the existing Tk 65 lakh.
BAAIGM leaders Farida Moni Shahidullah, M Abdul Kaium, M Mizanur Rahman and Abdur Rob Chowdhury were, among others, present at the press conference.
“At present, around 7 percent or 1.20 crore people of the country’s total population are aged ones…it’s the right time to take sustainable measures for the welfare of the elderly people,” secretary general of Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM) Prof Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman told a press conference at the National Press Club.
Rahman said the number of older people will stand at 2 crore or 10 percent of the country’s total population by 2025 as the growth of elderly people would exceed the growth rate of children.
He demanded measures in the next budget to have increased allocations for the old age allowance programme and raise the number of beneficiaries. “The amount for the old age allowance programme was not increased in the last two national budgets.”
Prof Rahman said the government should take steps to preserve at least two seats in each public transport with reduced fare for the country’s senior citizens.
He urged the policymakers to include a chapter, ‘Welfare of Aged People and Care’, in the curricula at all levels of education.
The other demands of the association include extending the retirement age of public servants up to 60 years from the existing 59 years, implementation of National Policy on Older People and increasing the annual allocation for BAAIGM to Tk 5 crore from the existing Tk 65 lakh.
BAAIGM leaders Farida Moni Shahidullah, M Abdul Kaium, M Mizanur Rahman and Abdur Rob Chowdhury were, among others, present at the press conference.
Comments
No Comments on this News
