Minister Shrestha insists on collective efforts to address senior citizens' issues

Kathmandu, Dec 26: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Shraddha Shrestha, has echoed the need for mutual coordination and collaboration to address the issues of senior citizens.

Extending her best wishes on the occasion of the Fifth National Senior Citizens Day today, the Minister underlined the need for collective efforts among the three-tier government, civil societies and the family to address the problems of senior citizens who possess distinct skills, expertise and experiences.  

She added that the government, through the Social Welfare Centre, has been operating a residential old-age home in the Pashupatinath area for senior citizens in need, as well as programmes to pass on their skills, knowledge, and experiences to future generations.

As per Section 13 of the Senior Citizens Act, 2063 (2006), the Central Senior Citizens Welfare Committee, chaired by the then minister, decided at its meeting on Baisakh 8, 2078 (April 21, 2021), to observe Poush 11 annually as National Senior Citizens Day.

The date was chosen as it corresponds to Poush 11, 2051 BS (December 26, 1994), when the government first introduced old-age and social security allowances for senior citizens in Nepal. (RSS)