Date:17/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/17/stories/2006121714860500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Senior citizens' meeting

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Senior Citizens and Pensioners Welfare Association will meet on Sunday to ratify resolutions demanding, among other things, the establishment of a separate Directorate for welfare of senior citizens.

Formation of a state advisory council chaired by the Chief Minister, appointment of nodal officers to liaison with the Centre on matters pertaining to senior citizens' welfare and opening of geriatric wards at district hospitals are among the other demands to be taken up at the meeting, according to the association office-bearers S. M. Chellaswamy and Durai Thangavel. The association has also been rallying for free travel for senior citizens in State-run transport, hike in concessional railway travel from 30 per cent to 50 per cent and reducing the age limit for senior citizens from 65 to 60 years for IT concession.