JHAPA, Jan 18: Stating that they are not getting the facilities promised by the government, elderly citizens in Jhapa have warned to launch protests. They have urged the government to implement the provisions outlining their rights and security without further delays. 

Speaking at a formal program in Mechinagar on Tuesday, President of Society of Mechinagar Elderly Citizens, Krishna Prasad Upreti said that the rights promised to the elderly have been limited to paper so far. He claimed that they are being deprived of concessions in hospitals and public vehicles.
 
“It has been quite long that the senior citizens were promised concessions in hospitals and public vehicles. But, we are not getting it,” he said. “The state has remained quite indifferent towards our rights.” 

During the local level elections, the elderly citizens were promised many more things, he said adding that after the elections, nothing has been delivered. 
Other elderly people at the program also lamented the government's apathy towards them. They discussed problems they face at public places and at home. In lack of good care and facilities, they have been deprived of a dignified life, they complained.
 
“We had heard a lot about the facilities that we are given in public transportation and in hospitals. But we are not getting any of them,” said another elderly man Hom Bahadur Khatri. “If the state would ensure those facilities to us, at least in hospitals, we would be greatly relieved,” he added. 

Transport entrepreneurs, however, expressed unwillingness to provide concessions while stating that their finances were dwindling. “Presently we don't have financial resources that can enable us to deliver concessions,” said Mohan Prakash Upreti, president of Mechi Bus Entrepreneurs Association. 

During the program, 30 elderly people, aged between 60 to 100, were provided warm clothes worth Rs 33,000 by Mahabir Agrawal. 

 
• elderly
 
• promises
 
• fulfilled