The elderly citizens have been staging a sit-in in front of the DoTM for the last eight months, demanding 50 percent concession in public transportation fare - something guaranteed by the Senior Citizen Act-2006. [break]
And they have also asked for the allowance given to them to be increased to Rs 3000 from the current Rs 500.
The other demands include separate wards at hospitals, free treatment at public health institutions and 50 percent discount at private hospitals, 50 percent discount in electricity bill, telephone bill, drinking water and house tax, LPG gas, cooking oil.
On September 27, the DoTM had published a notice announcing a provision of reserved seats and 50 percent discount for two senior citizens in public vehicles from October 18.
“The decision is not fair at all. They have to give discount to all the elderly people who use public transportation,” said Maha Prasad Parajuli, chairperson of a Senior Citizens Joint Struggle Committee. “What if there are more than two senior citizens in a public vehicle?”
Parajuli said that the International Senior Citizen´s Day just gives yet another reason for the politicians, governmental and non-governmental officials to regale themselves in some five star hotels.
“This day hardly matters to us,” added Parajuli. “We don´t see a reason to celebrate it. We have been holding the protest for more than eight months, but the government has not addressed our demand.”
He went on to add that they will not give up on their cause until the demands are fulfilled.
The Senior Citizens Joint Struggle Committee, who started the sit-ins from March 7, is formed by various organizations such as Dibyeshwari Civil Society, Senior Civil Service Society, Himalaya Old Age Home, Naya Nepal Organization, Sipadol Civil Forum, Fidol Group Service Society and Shahitik Forum.
Although the Senior Citizens have also been repeatedly pressing the District Administration Office to meet their demands, their voice has apparently fallen on a deaf ear.
“We have already pledged 50 percent discount to two senior citizens in a public vehicle. And this is all we can do for them,” said Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal, director general of the DoTM. “It is not possible to give discount to all the senior citizens as most of the public vehicles are operated by private organizations.”
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