Jamshedpur, June 28: The senior citizens of the district can now look forward to better days ahead.

The East Singhbhum district administration, along with the city chapter of Dignity Foundation, a non-government organisation (NGO) working for the cause of the elderly, are mooting a plan to provide senior citizen cards to people above the age of 60.

The card would enable the senior population to avail the benefits of concessions in the railway, air and bus fares. There would also be special hospital discounts, priority on high court case disposal, extra interest rate on bank deposits during medical emergency included among the benefits.

In a formal meeting between the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Nitin Madan Kulkarni and chairman of Jamshedpur chapter of Dignity Foundation, R.G. Narayan, the authorities decided to sent a proposal to the state social welfare department on the card issue.

According to Kulkarni, the senior card scheme has been successful in Maharashtra and the seniors are reaping benefits from the scheme.

?After clearance from the state government, the scheme would be implemented here. The senior citizen card will bear the seal of the state government and the district administration. It would be considered no less valuable then the voter's identity card,? said Kulkarni.

The card will bear the name of the holder, his or her date of birth, address, telephone number, blood group and medical specification.

The card will also bear names of some close person who may be contacted in times of emergency.

Kulkarni said the services of the card issued by the the Maharashtra government is being availed by over four lakh persons across Mumbai and its outskirts. The card costs a meagre Rs 30 per person.

Once the state government gives a nod to the scheme, the administration would publicise its usage through advertisement.