Volunteers to help senior citizens to get bus seats in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Taking initiative for welfare and security of senior citizens in Odisha, the government decided to appoint volunteers to ensure elderly persons get seats both in government and private buses for comfortable journey.

The volunteers will be appointed under a new scheme with monthly salary of Rs 3,000 in major bus stands in five towns — Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur.

The move came at a high level meeting chaired by Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities principal secretary Niten Chandra here on Monday.

As per the decision, the Complaint Management System (CMS) will be executed for redressal of grievances made by the senior citizens in every district. Two members will be appointed with consolatory payment of Rs 30,000 per district under CMS. The two will extend assistance and suggestions to the senior citizens by incorporating with district senior citizens committee.

The CMS will also be executed in block level appointing two members and volunteers.

The government will create awareness through advertisements to assist the senior citizens during the period of their adversity.