Govt committed to welfare of older persons, says Gehlot
NEW DELHI: To mark the ‘International day of Older Persons' on October 2, more than 5,000 participants gathered at India Gate for a noble cause to spread the message of caring and giving respect to older persons and senior citizens. This year's theme was “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society
Thaawarchand Gehlot Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment along with the Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar, took the pledge with other dignitaries and 5000 participants. Then the ‘Walkathon' was flagged off by Thawarchand Gehlot & MOS Krishan Pal Gurjar and they also took part in 1 km Walkathon with all the dignitaries.
In his address, Gehlot said that the Government was committed to the welfare of older persons and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is running two important schemes namely “Vriddh Jan Grah Yojana and Day Care Centres” for Older Persons across India and Non Government Organizations and Voluntary Organizations are also participating in these schemes.
He urged the people especially the young generation to accord due respect to older persons in their families.
On the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), every year since 2005 the mass awareness event “Walkathon” is being held at India Gate. National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India have been conducting this event for 14 years since its inception. This Walkathon on IDOP at India Gate is now in its 14th year.
The 14th Walkathon was organised on October 2 in Delhi as the lead mega event in the Delhi for senior citizens. To convey the message, a series of events were done at India Gate.
Showcasing of various positive physical activities were done like a Run, slogan March, Yoga, a Semi classical programme with bhajans, Health Camp for senior citizens and demonstration of composting technology to spread the message of giving care and respect to parents and senior citizens.
The event has a great value for awareness about welfare of Senior Citizens and giving a life of dignity to elderly persons across India and has attracted attention because of its all India reach through its media partners. This mega event becomes colorful with the participation of various organizations from Delhi & NCR, and from other states. The great support from stake holders is coming every year. DEHRADUN: A scam worth over Rs 600 crore has been detected in the public distribution system of Uttarakhand leading to the dismissal of the regional food controller in Kumaon division of the state.
“Vishnu Singh Dhanik's dismissal was ordered late on Monday night after preliminary investigations by an SIT headed by Udhamsingh Nagar District Magistrate Niraj Khairwal revealed largescale financial irregularities and other anomalies at public distribution system (PDS) godowns located in Kumaon region,” an official press release said.
Dhanik was given two extensions by the previous Harish Rawat-led Congress government in the state.
The irregularities worth over Rs 600 crore were detected in the course of documentary verification conducted at PDS godowns in Rudrapur, Kashipur and Kichcha by the SIT, the release said.
Principal secretary and commissioner Food and Civil Supplies has been asked to take stern action against all other officials and employees involved in the scam which took place over the last two years.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had constituted the SIT on August 2 following a number of complaints about the beneficiaries either not getting subsidised food grains or being served poor quality of grains, under the PDS arrangement.
This is the second scam to be detected by the Trivendra Singh Rawat government after the NH 74 scam, which was also unearthed in Udhamsingh Nagar district.