D.N. Chakravartty, general secretary, All Assam Senior Citizens’ Association, speaks during World Elder Abuse Awareness Day function on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos

June 12: Noni Talukdar, 75, who is deprived of old-age pension and ekes out a living at a tailoring shop, has to bear the agony of fighting off his son’s attempts to grab his property.

In another story quite similar to that of Talukdar, a frail 65-year-old woman, who currently resides with her son, daughter-in-law and unmarried daughter in her city home, is fighting a never-ending battle, as she and her daughter have to put up with the verbal abuse inflicted on them by her son and his wife. Her son is also pressurising her to transfer the property to his name.

Like these two, there are many elderly persons who suffer abuse, both mental and physical, at home and outside.

For those looking for legal aid the Assam State Legal Services Authority is providing it free to senior citizens whose annual income is below Rs 75,000.

“We have appointed paralegal volunteers, comprising law students, social workers and lawyers, to bridge the gap between the service seekers and service providers. We have been taking the initiative to generate awareness among people about various policies, which are important in order to provide legal aid. Many are not aware about the existence of The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007,” said A.F.A. Bora, member secretary of the authority on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day organised here today by HelpAge India.

The day is observed worldwide to create awareness about the abuse and neglect of the elderly and how it can be prevented.

It is also an appeal to the civil society and the government to make the city and the state a safe place for the senior citizens by eliminating and preventing abuse.

Nilondra Tanya, senior manager, programmes, HelpAge India, said, “The mobile medicare unit programme, covering 10 areas within the city, dispenses medical service to people mostly from the unorganised sector. The beneficiaries even approached us with their personal problems like land disputes, age-old pension problems and physical harassment among other things. As we do not have the authority to intrude into such legal matters, we decided to collaborate with the Assam State Legal Services Authority for providing free legal aid to our beneficiaries and generate awareness among them.”

“The vulnerable elderly find it difficult to approach legal practitioners because of the cost involved. Providing free legal service would play an important role in mitigating their problems. Another major problem faced by them is the difficulty in acquiring below poverty line (BPL) certificates. Nearly 150 cases of abuse have been registered at HelpAge India,” he said.

Jagat Chandra Bora, member, Assam Senior Citizens’ Association, said, “Senior citizens suffer from various types of abuse. Many are ignorant about the laws and policies regarding the protection of their rights. We hope that the social welfare department becomes more sensitive regarding the welfare and implementation of various plans and programmes for senior citizens. Besides, the state government should adopt the Assam State Policy for Senior Citizens as soon as possible for the protection of rights and privileges of the elderly.”