Kohima, November 19 (DIPR): Nagaland today launched the ‘Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme’ at Hotel Japfü at a function in Kohima. The programme was organized by the State Welfare Department with hundreds of senior citizens in the state capital and with the Minister for School Education Imkong L. Imchen gracing the occasion as the chief guest.
In his inaugural address, Imchen appreciated both the central and state governments for the enhancement and uplift of the welfare of the elderly people in the country by launching the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under which senior citizens will have monetary benefits. Imchen urged the concern department officials and the people involved to see to the welfare of genuine and deserving persons so that nobody is left out. He also said that the state Social Welfare department has been looking after the welfare of the people for quite a long time and is expected to continue doing the same for the uplift of the people. He also handed over cash tokens to some of the oldest persons among the gathering.
Parliamentary Secretary of Social Welfare K. Hollohon in his address said that the NOAPS which is 100 % centrally sponsored is one of the major components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) launched on 15th August 1995 for the benefit of the persons aged 65 years or more and destitutes. He said that initially beneficiaries were paid Rs 75 per month which was enhanced to Rs 200 per month from 2006-07. He said that there are about 28,503 beneficiaries of the scheme in Nagaland. He said that with the launching of this new revised scheme, beneficiaries will get Rs 400 per month with 50:50 share basis between the central and state governments.
He said that the government will now be in a position to provide pension to around 97,000 new beneficiaries which include state sector pensioners who are also being transferred into the IGNOAPS. Secretary, Nagaland Senior Citizens Forum, Dr. R. Zinyu also spoke on the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to the government for enhancing the pension for the welfare of the senior citizens while also urging the beneficiaries to be honest in making use of the facility. He also appealed to the government to provide 50 % travel concession as well as hospital fees for senior citizens.
Proprietor of Old Age Home, Kohima Neithonuo Liegise gave a presentation while Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Neihu C. Thur chaired the function. State Chaplain, Rev Deo Vihienuo said the invocation while the vote of thanks was offered by Director of Social Welfare, Nochet Aier.
