Kathmandu: Members have called for the implementation of the Senior Citizens Act, 2063 BS (2006) in a true sense. The voice was raised during discussions in regard to the “implementation of the proposal of urgent public importance in regard to making additional special provisions to ensure a safe, quality, and dignified life for senior citizens” in today’s meeting of the National Assembly’s Committee on Public Policy and Delegated Legislation.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the lawmakers highlighted that although the law provides a 50 percent discount on healthcare for senior citizens, it has not been practically implemented. During the session, Sumita BC remarked that senior citizens are facing challenges even for residing in old age homes due to the lack of citizenship documentation, which has resulted in many being denied the senior citizen allowance. She urged the government to take mandatory initiatives to resolve these issues.
Madan Kumari Shah (Garima) demanded the allocation of dedicated hospital beds for senior citizens and called for the full enforcement of a 50 percent discount on public transport fares. Renu Chand emphasized the necessity of constructing senior citizens-friendly physical infrastructures, while Yubaraj Sharma advocated for granting parents the legal right to claim property from their children.
According to the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, free and partially subsidized healthcare services, as determined by hospitals, have been ensured for senior citizens through 94 hospitals across 77 districts. Such services have been implemented through the Social Service Unit Programme within these health facilities.
As updated by Ministry Secretary Laxmi Kumari Basnet, a total of 1,660,370 senior citizens, including 161,825 Dalit senior citizens, 173,560 single women senior citizens, and 17,159 other senior citizens, have been currently benefiting from the social security allowance.