Saturday, February 8, 2014

Three News Items on Planning Commission Task Force on IGNOAPS & retirement age

NEWS ITEM 1
===========
From TOI 7th FEb 2014
Parliamentary panel recommends increasing retirement age to 65

PTI | Feb 7, 2014, 09.15 PM IST

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary committee has recommended that retirement
age should be increased from 60 years to 65 years, citing the increase
in ageing population and their productivity.

In its report tabled in Lok Sabha, the committee also advocated a host
of benefits to the geriatric population, including upping their income
tax exemption limit and setting up of super-speciality hospitals in
all states exclusively for them.

"The committee would like the ministry (social justice and
empowerment) to seriously consider the various options which would
include reviewing the age of retirement, re-employment opportunities
for the retired persons... and setting up a directorate of employment
and rehabilitation for senior citizens," it said.

It asked the government to look at the continuity of employment up to
65 years of age.

The standing committee headed by Hemanand Biswal noted that the
population of senior citizens is expected to rise to 12.4% by 2026
against 7.5% in 2001 and the numbers of those above 60 and 80 years of
age would see a whopping increase of 326% and 700% respectively by
2050.

The senior citizens should get a pension of at least Rs 1,000 per
month, it said, adding that the criteria for it may be universalised
for all non-income tax payers.

It has also reiterated its earlier recommendation that old-age homes
be set up in all districts of the country.

It has urged the finance ministry to periodically raise income tax
exemption keeping in view the increasing cost of living and
prohibitive cost of healthcare for senior citizens.

The committee also recommended that the government should try to adopt
best practices from the Scandinavian countries, which are noted for
their welfare facilities for the elderly population.
====
NEWS ITEM 2
===========

Raise age of retirement to 65: House panel

Subodh Ghildiyal,TNN | Feb 8, 2014, 01.59 AM IST

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has urged the Centre to raise the
retirement age to 65 years, noting that growing lifespan was adding to
the need for "productive ageing".

The recommendation for increase in retirement age comes with a
reminder that senior citizens would form 12.4% of the total population
in 2026 from 7.5% in 2001.

"The committee feels that with the increase in life expectancy and
relatively better state of health of people, the government needs to
look at continuity of employment up to 65 years," said the report of
standing committee of Parliament on social justice and empowerment
tabled on Friday.

It also recommended that government look at greater post-retirement
opportunities for senior citizens and create greater financial support
for the elderly by hiking the old age pension to Rs 1,000 per month
from the present Rs 200 for those above 60 years and Rs 500 for those
above 80 years.

While suggesting immediate redressal for the ageing population, the
panel sought to train the government's focus on the 60-plus group by
pointing out that its growing numbers would be a serious challenge in
health and social care.

Specifically, it underlined that as per population projections, the
80-plus bloc, the most-vulnerable group, would see a sharper rise in
numbers.

The urgency of parliamentarians towards senior citizens comes amid
growing global realization that increasing lifespan is creating a new
demographic bloc requiring state intervention.

Seeking government attention, the committee noted that senior citizens
comprised 7.5% of the total population in 2001 but their share is
likely to increase to 12.4% in 2026. Importantly, UN projections say
while India's population will rise by 55% by 2050, that of 60-plus
would increase by 326% and that of 80-plus would go up by 700%.

Given the rising challenge, the panel headed by Hemanand Biswal found
the government response inadequate, noting that "issue of rapid
population ageing in the country has not received due attention of the
government and the community at large".

The panel said special focus should be on the octogenarian bloc. "This
age group is the most vulnerable and runs the risk of getting
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, depression in their
older years," it said, and asked the Centre to constitute an expert
group of relevant government departments to devise specialized
healthcare programme for them.
=====
NEWS ITEM 3

Panel moots more financial support for senior citizens

Subodh Ghildiyal,TNN | Feb 8, 2014, 03.43 AM IST

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary committee has recommended that retirement
age should be increased from 60 years to 65 years, citing the increase
in ageing population and their productivity.

It also recommended that the government look at greater
post-retirement opportunities for senior citizens and create greater
financial support for the elderly by hiking the old age pension to Rs
1,000 per month from the present Rs 200 for those above 60 years and
Rs 500 for those above 80 years.

While suggesting immediate redressal for the ageing population, the
panel sought to train the government's focus on the 60-plus group by
pointing out that its growing numbers would be a serious challenge in
health and social care.

Specifically, it underlined that as per population projections, the
80-plus bloc, the most-vulnerable group, would see a sharper rise in
numbers.

The urgency of parliamentarians towards senior citizens comes amid
growing global realization that increasing lifespan is creating a new
demographic bloc requiring state intervention.

Seeking government attention, the committee noted that senior citizens
comprised 7.5% of the total population in 2001 but their share is
likely to increase to 12.4% in 2026. Importantly, UN projections say
while India's population will rise by 55% by 2050, that of 60-plus
would increase by 326% and that of 80-plus would go up by 700%.

Given the rising challenge, the panel headed by Hemanand Biswal found
the government response inadequate, noting that "issue of rapid
population ageing in the country has not received due attention of the
government and the community at large".

The panel said special focus should be on the octogenarian bloc. "This
age group is the most vulnerable and runs the risk of getting
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, depression in their
older years," it said, and asked the Centre to constitute an expert
group of relevant government departments to devise specialized
healthcare programme for them.
===============


Dr P Vyasamoorthy
President: Society for Serving Seniors
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015. LL 040-27846631 / Mobile:
9490804278

For Internet Free Telugu Radio
http://www.shoutcast.com/Internet-Radio/Telugu

Friday, February 7, 2014

WILL and Related Issues Gist from Justice Rangarajan's talk

Justice TNC Rangarajan spoke on "WILL and Related Issues" recently to members of SCF, Secunderabad
I am reproducing the relevant portion from the minutes sent by Ms Kamakshi, Presudent of SCF.
Dr P Vyasamoorthy

=====

THE GIST OF THE LEGAL TALK BY JUSTICE RANGARAJAN  IS GIVEN HEREUNDER:
As per the talk  by Justice Rangarajan :

Three (3) essential steps to be taken to ensure that property reaches your children/designated beneficiaries.

1) Make a LIST of ALL assets (both movable and immovable)  
2) Share this information with members of the family during your lifetime.  
3) Give details of how it should be distributed,its estimated value and put it in a sealed cover..

In the absence of the above law  takes its course

  • In the case of Self acquired property it goes to the category called "Class 1 Heirs".
  • If the Male passes away  as per hindu law, the spouse and children  and mother share the property  equally.
  • If the female passes away …the husband and children and  not the parents would be the beneficiaries
    • The proportion is 1/3rd  to the wife and balance 2/3rd   to the children.  
    • In the case of Joint family property ,equal share goes  to daughters also.
  • Writing of the WILL helps in distribution  of the wealth of the deceaased but it can always be challenged by the person who does not get equal share in the property of the deceased. 

  • Registration of the WILL,  has no extra value for it can always be contested. The only advantage it would have over UNREGISTERED Will would be that this would be in the public domain that a Will has been written by the deceased  but the contents would  have to be awaited. The Will  will  be opened after the death of the person who has written the Will.    In the case of will being registered,  the contents are not read out to any body not even to  the Registrar It is put in a sealed cover

  • The Will can be written on a white (plain) paper and need not be on a Stamp Paper but needs to be witnessed. by 2 People  who are NOT beneficiaries to the WILL. 
  • Any number of wills can be written. Only the last written, however,  will  be valid..The previously written WILLs will not be valid.
  • The WILL can also include future property/contingent property and future (yet to be born) beneficiary.

  • Justice Rangarajan further clarified that it is redundant to use words like "last will revoked"  "In sane mind " etc in the text of the WILL. . 

  • In the case of immovable property, selling situation… the Genuinity of the will has to be established.
  • An option available is to make a "Settlement Deed" during one's lifetime to avoid any disputes by the claimants later on, after his / her's    death. "Death Bed Gift" and handing  it over is also an option, though it may not be practical. 
  • Mutation of the property can be done if the original property owner passes away.
  • In the case of Bank Accounts, Shares, Bonds etc., NOMINATION  only helps the Nominee  who is only an agent to collect the money.  It does not entitle him to enjoy the monies thus received. The distribution of liquid assets would rest with the details as mentioned in the WILL.
  • The Power of attorney (POA) ends on the demise of the person who has executed it.
  • Having a joint Account facilitates smooth operations.
  • The legal heirs have to prove their position by producing a succession certificate 
  • The MRO can also issue this .
  • The question hour brought out several personal situational doubts and satisfactory,answers were given.
  • Overall it was an extremely educative and well accepted session  and  MEMBERS wanted more such sessions .

A VERY BIG THANKS to Mr Rangarajan.

The Justice definitely did Justice to the Topic and made everybody very happy.

=================

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Rs 1,000 minimum pension is almost reality now

This is an achievement for joint efforts of AISCCON and BHarat Pensioners Samaj.
It was Lohitakshan (common friend to many IDL members of sss global)
who mooted the idea of fighting out this injustice.
AISCCON took it up and formed a special EPS-95 cell, comprising of
members from AISCCON and BPS. This cell worked relentlessly for early
2 years . Finally some relief has come. Quantum could have been more.
Few Industrial EPS95 retirees were getting just Rs 12 (ONLY Twelve)
per month!! From there, the present change in pension is better -
Don't you agree?


Dr P Vyasamoorthy


On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 11:14 PM, Raghavendra Rao Venkatasubbarao
<vrvrao45@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/rs-1000-minimum-pension-is-almost-reality-now/1/203027.html
>
> Rs 1,000 minimum pension is almost reality now
>
> PTI New Delhi Last Updated: February 5, 2014 | 21:26 IST
> TAGS: epfo | minimum pension | basic pay | DA | Employees Provident Fund
> Organisation
> STORY TOOLS
>
> Change font size
> Print this story
> E-Mail this story
> Comment
>
> Trustees of retirement fund body EPFO on Wednesday approved a proposal to
> provide a monthly pension of minimum Rs 1,000, a decision that will
> immediately benefit about its 28 lakh pensioners.
>
> The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision making body of EPFO
> also decided to raise the monthly wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 from Rs 6,500 by
> amending the EPF scheme, 1952, so that more workers can be brought under its
> various social security programmes.
>
> "The board has decided to approve the proposed amendments in the schemes to
> ensure that Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under EPS-95 and also increased
> the wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 per month," Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes,
> who chaired the CBT meeting, told reporters.
>
> At present, workers getting basic wages, including basic pay and DA, of up
> to Rs 6,500 are covered under the ambit of Employees' Provident Fund
> Organisation (EPFO).
>
> According to an EPFO official, the Labour Ministry will soon move proposal
> before the Union Cabinet for its approval for the Rs 1,000 minimum monthly
> pension as the government would have to make fund provisions for the
> purpose.
>
> "We have also reduced the administrative charges paid by the employers.
> Their burden would increase with the increase in wage ceiling," the Minister
> said.
>
> The board has also decided to reduce administrative charges from 1.10 per
> cent of the basic wage, including basic pay and dearness allowance, to 0.85
> per cent.
>
> Besides, the trustees have also approved a proposed change in the
> methodology of computing the pensionable salary.
>
> The pensionable salary will be calculated on the basis of average salary of
> the last 60 months instead of 12 months as provided in the EPS-95.
>
> However, the proposed change in the methodology for computing pensionable
> salary was approved with a dissent note from the trade unionist members of
> the CBT.
>
> The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) runs social security
> programmes Employees' Provident Fund Scheme 1952, Employees' Pension Scheme
> 1995 and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976.
>
> --
> V.RAGHAVENDRA RAO,
> 18/301,PRIYAMANAGALA PRESIDENCY
> APARTMENTS,
> MTP Road,Thudiyalur Post,
> COIMBATORE-641034.
> Hello- 9445306327.
> Land Line -0422-2646668.

Fwd: [sss-global] Make rules to protect elderly: HC to Uttar Pradesh govt


Make rules to protect elderly: HC to Uttar Pradesh govt


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Make-rules-to-protect-elderly-HC-to-Uttar-Pradesh-govt/articleshow/29892332.cms



LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court (HC) has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to expedite the formulation of rules for the safety of senior citizens in the state.

Directing the government to make rules under the Senior Citizen Act and also to constitute a body to hear and redress problems being faced by the aged, the high court asked it to establish old age homes in every district.

These shelters, the court said, should be big enough to house 150 people and should be given proper staff and health facilities for which the state government should make budgetary provisions.

A bench of Justices Sunil Ambwani and Dinesh Gupta also expressed their dismay at the fact that while the Senior Citizen Act was passed by parliament in 2007, nothing serious had been done in Uttar Pradesh to get it implemented.

The government counsel told the bench that while the notification for implementation of the Act had been issued by the state government, the rules were being framed and were under process.

The court directed the principal secretary (social welfare) to issue a fresh notification and give a sworn affidavit of its implementation by February 10.

The court gave these directions on Tuesday while hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Junaid Ezaz with regard to senior citizens whose children were not looking after them.

Contributed by:
V.RAGHAVENDRA RAO,
18/301,PRIYAMANAGALA PRESIDENCY
APARTMENTS,
MTP Road,Thudiyalur Post,
COIMBATORE-641034.
Hello- 9445306327.
Land Line -0422-2646668.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Optelec ClearView One 18 Wide - Visual Impairment - Assistive Technology: BarrierBreak - Accessibility & Assistive Technology firm in Mumbai, India



 
Public Libraries where old people or persons with low vision frequent will benefit by this device. May be useful even in houses if you can afford it.And perhaps in active libraries attached to Senior Citizens Association, Day Care Centers etc 
 
 
Optelec ClearView One 18 Wide - Visual Impairment - Assistive Technology: BarrierBreak - Accessibility & Assistive Technology firm in Mumbai, India
 

The ClearView One is an easy to use one touch simplicity desktop magnifier that provides crisp and clear magnification of any reading material placed under it. It features an adjustable 18.5-inch TFT panel screen with a standard tilting monitor …

 
Clip Better http://barrierbreak.com/assistive-technology/visual…
 
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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Take a Pledge: Visit Old Age Homes and cheer up inmates


I have copied this image from speakingtree.in
Go to that site and see if there are pledges appealing and suitable for you to take and keep them.
As a part of 1) Senior Citizens Forum, Secunderabad and as a member of 2)Association of Senior Citizens of Hyderabad we regularly visit old age homes to cheer up lonely elderly souls , to offer clothes, money, food and mostly joyful company for a few hours. Entertaining residents of Old Age Homes is a worthwhile time-pass for healthy senior citizens.

SPREAD THIS MESSAGE.