Widows, elderly in shelters to receive pension

Stating that they have already started income generation for the old, an official said, “We want to undertake rehabilitative measures for the homeless.”

Stating that it is a rehabilitative and reintegration process, Dr Senthil Nathan, City Health Officer, said, “After a conversation with the Collector’s office, we have decided to pool all the inmates and get applications filled up for widow and old age pension as well as for medical insurance. We have tied up with the Collector and it will be organised on the occasion of Homeless Day, which falls this week.”

Taking about the already created sources of income for the elderly by opening stalls at the Ripon Building, he added, “We set up handicraft stalls, which were open to public for sale. As there are a number of elderly and widows, we want to undertake rehabilitative measures by providing them with pension and medical insurance,” he added.

As many of the homeless staying at the 37 shelters belonging to the Corporation were either sent out of their homes by family members or had some problems or the other, the Corporation is planning to give them psychological counselling as well. 

“Most of the elderly persons and widows are abandoned or ill-treated by their immediate family members. While they may be physically sound, most of them suffer from poor mental health, which tends to get worse if left unattended. While helping them with basic things such as filling in forms for schemes, the fact that their mental health is also being considered must be applauded,” said Counsellor P Nilam. 

“If these individuals are not helped, the shelter will become a permanent home for them which we do not want to happen. We are roping in the NGOs to pool these people and bring them to the Collector’s office to register their personal information as it may take more time if done in individual homes,” said a source from the Corporation.