Dimapur, July 8 (EMN): With an objective to expeditiously attend to complaints and grievances of the senior citizens, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS) on Thursday.
As per the memorandum, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and the Good Samaritan Women Society would start a national helpline number at the office of the NSLSA member secretary. The memorandum was jointly signed by NSLSA member secretary, N Longshithung Ezung, and the programme manager of Senior Citizens’ Helpline, Neithonuo Liegise.
The main objective of the helpline was to attend to the complaints and grievances of senior citizens. As per the MoU, the state helplines would receive calls wherein the district/ sub-districts administration would act upon the grievances.
An update from NSLSA stated that the National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC) — elder line (Toll Free No. 14567) is mandated to facilitate four different services including information. The helpline would provide information related to elder care service providers, pension, government schemes, benefits etc., based on caller's requirements and guidance. The helpline would also guide senior citizens on legal and pension related issues as well as emotional support.
It also added that the helpline team would offer counselling support and, if required, connect with partners specialised on the issue and direct field intervention.
The helpline team would also facilitate rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange for accommodation in old age homes and facilitate the process towards reuniting the elder persons with the family. It would also assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through maintenance tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders.
As for the responsibilities of the legal service authority, it mentioned that legal guidance would be provided to the rescued homeless elderly persons. In case of homeless elderly, it stated an elder line representative would call the para-legal volunteers (PLV) of the locality. On receipt of the call, the para-legal volunteer would take them to a nearby old age home or hospital.
It stated that PLV would facilitate a conciliation or mediation process to ensure safety and security of elderly persons.
In case of abused elderly, the elder line representatives would call the PLV of the locality to visit them. The PLV would also facilitate a conciliation or mediation process to ensure safety and security of elderly persons.
According to the MoU, the issues confronting the older citizens should be conveyed to all the district legal services authority (DLSA) and the para-legal volunteers.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), government of India, the National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and the Social Welfare Department of the State Government have decided to start a national helpline with the Good Samaritan Women Society, Nagaland, as the service provider.