Bengal govt to provide toll-free helpline for elderly people

A toll-free helpline will soon be introduced by the West Bengal government to provide assistance to senior citizens on the issues of health, legal and security.
"Senior citizens will be able to communicate using this toll-free number when they need any assistance be it on health issues or when there is any robbery at their houses," state Women and Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said.
"There are several senior citizens who are not getting their pension on time...We have to look into that. We are also considering if senior citizens can be given any subsidy in ration or whether there can be a separate counter for them at hospitals or at places where they need to visit every month," the minister said.

Stating that the state government is also planning to conduct counselling sessions for the elderly people to take care of their mental fitness. The state was also mulling over making legal assistance free for the community if needed, she said.
"The government is also thinking of training persons on Geriatric Care Management on whom the elderly persons can rely," she said.
"We have prepared a draft on the entire matter and are waiting to send it to the Cabinet for its green signal," she said.