Kerala has become the first state in India to establish a Senior Citizens Commission, a step towards ensuring better care and rights for the elderly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday. The state government announced this initiative to tackle challenges senior citizens face, such as neglect, abuse, healthcare issues, and pension delays.

Why Was the Commission Needed?

Kerala is one among the highest in India concerning the elderly population. According to the 2021 Census, nearly 16% of the overall population in this particular state is above 60 years. Aging goes hand in hand with rising concerns for financial, health, and social well-being, as abandonment and lagging pensions are two of the common prospects the elderly face. The state government, recognizing the challenges, built a Senior Citizens Commission, a dedicated body for redressal of complaints, and recommendations, and ensuring that the elderly receive their due respect and care.

Government’s Vision

Regarding this, the Chief Minister made mention on the implementation of the commission regarding the elderly with specific attention to their right protection, welfare, and rehabilitation aspect.

"To strengthen the initiatives launched for senior citizens since the previous government's tenure, the state is now establishing the country's first-ever Senior Citizens Commission. As a step towards this, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill yesterday (Wednesday)," Vijayan said in a Facebook post.

"The commission will prioritize addressing the hardships faced by the elderly, including neglect, exploitation, and loneliness. It will be responsible for providing the necessary guidelines to tackle these issues," He added.

Kerala is the pioneer state in India to initiate a special group for older adults. The initiative is great because, most of the time, elderly persons face challenges like loneliness or delayed pension payments. Merely forming the group is not enough; it will have to function properly and fast. If it performs well, other states in India might follow suit to better take care of their elderly.

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