Sunday, November 23, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Report on Seminar on CSR for the Elderly 15th Nov 2014
A Note on CSR Seminar for the Elderly conducted by AOSC-H and HelpAge
15th November 2014 at Lions Bhavan Secunderabad Telangana
The seminar started at 10:30. Sri B Linga Reddy invited dignitaries to
the dais. On the dais were: Sri RN Mital, Sri Shiv Kumar Rungta, Dr
Vyasamoorthy, Dr Gayatri Subramanyam, Sri IM Bhalla.
Dr T Harish Rao, Minister for Irrigation, Government of Telangana did
not participate as a special session of the Assembly was being held on
that day. Sri S Dass joined, somewhat late, as he rushed directly from
Airport after attending an important meeting in Delhi HQ of HelpAge.
After presentation of bouquets to dignitaries on the dais, lighting of
the lamp was done. Thereafter, Dr Vyasamoorthy welcomed all – people
on the dais, participants groups like representatives from corporate
sector (BHEL, Midhani, Usha, Kabra Gas, Hetero Drugs, IOCL, Premier
Explosives etc), NGOs (HelpAge, Ramakrishna Mutt, Lions Clubs), SCAs,
Federations ( FESCO, TESCCON, TCSCCON), Media (Indian Express, Hans
India etc). He said that this seminar is the first one in India as far
as the topic is concerned and perhaps also the first in the State on
CSR initiated by SCA.
Keynote address by Sri RN Mital was very comprehensive, full of
impressive data to show that senior citizens are neglected by
corporate sector in their CSR activity. After highlighting the
lacunae, in the present CSR dispensation, he suggested some remedial
measures which have become resolutions of the event. Sri Rungta
emphasized that youngsters should be taught to respect the elderly; he
also advised that seniors should not part with their money or
property, in order to assure their own welfare and to avoid abuse.
Smt Gayatri Subramaniam presented the seminar proper. She traced the
history of evolution of CSR concept that has become mandatory under
law. Gandhi's Trusteeship Concept is forerunner to CSR. GOI spends 9
Lakh Crore rupees on developmental activities. But most of it does not
reach the target beneficiaries. Out of 13 Lakh companies registered,
some 11 lakh companies exist now; Some 16000 corporates come under the
purview of CSR. Such companies should spend 2% of their past three
years' average profits for CSR. Company Law has 400+ sections but only
one section – sec 135 – talks of CSR in entirety. Rules for this
section have also been framed. Schedule 7 of rules list activities,
expenditure relating to which, CSR obligation can be fulfilled.
Welfare of senior citizens has been added last year.
Some points that were new to most participants are:
· There is punishment if CSR obligations are not met.
· Liberal interpretation schedule 7 is advised and promoted
· What activities will not come under CSR explained and listed
· Companies that give money, NGOs who are implementers,
Communities that are targets, GOI as monitoring agency are various
arms / segments connected with CSR
Her presentation was precise, highly professional, educative and
interactive. It was listened to by a rapt audience.
Sri Dass spoke next, narrating his experiences in tapping CSR funds.
IT Companies are most reluctant group to open up, he said. HelpAge is
ready to help any SCA in preparing proper project report for
submission to corporate and act as a bridge. He requested NFCSR to
help convincing corporate to include Seniors' welfare in their
policies and budget. Companies are ready to give money for capital
expenses but are reluctant to provide for running / maintenance
expenses as monitoring such activities is a headache. It was with
their help we could ensure participation from CSR mandated companies.
Prof Visweswaraiah read out a two page memorandum addressed to the
State Government; this was to be given to the Chief Minister through
Dr Harish Rao. The memorandum listed several problems of senior
citizens that have not been attended to for the past several years.
Sri PVVGK Murthy read out five resolutions and all were passed.
Sri IM Bhalla, convener of the seminar doubled as Master of
ceremonies; His introduction of speakers and succinct summing up after
every speaker were marvelously professional.
After presentation of mementos for people on the dais, vote of thanks
by Sri Raza Mohamad, the meeting ended with National Anthem.
As against our expectation of about 150 participants, nearly 180
turned up. The hall was overflowing with every inch occupied. The
deepam decoration and Bathakamma were carried by Sobha and her team.
SCAs from districts like Adilabad, Kareemnagar, Nizambad, Nalgonda,
Warangal, Medak, Kurnool and even AP came in large numbers. Some
participants had flown from Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi as well
exclusively for this meeting. A folder containing relevant material
was distributed to all. The lunch after the meeting was appreciated by
many. Seminar was covered in Indian Express and Hans India newspapers.
A team of eight volunteers from HelpAge took active part in all
activities.
Jeevanadhara (OGH), Centre for Research and Development of Ethics
(CRDE), Impex India, TCSCCON sponsored the event with some funds.
Exide Life Insurance Limited and AASARA did not fulfill their
assurances of financial help. However their names were included in our
banner based on their commitments.
=============
15th November 2014 at Lions Bhavan Secunderabad Telangana
The seminar started at 10:30. Sri B Linga Reddy invited dignitaries to
the dais. On the dais were: Sri RN Mital, Sri Shiv Kumar Rungta, Dr
Vyasamoorthy, Dr Gayatri Subramanyam, Sri IM Bhalla.
Dr T Harish Rao, Minister for Irrigation, Government of Telangana did
not participate as a special session of the Assembly was being held on
that day. Sri S Dass joined, somewhat late, as he rushed directly from
Airport after attending an important meeting in Delhi HQ of HelpAge.
After presentation of bouquets to dignitaries on the dais, lighting of
the lamp was done. Thereafter, Dr Vyasamoorthy welcomed all – people
on the dais, participants groups like representatives from corporate
sector (BHEL, Midhani, Usha, Kabra Gas, Hetero Drugs, IOCL, Premier
Explosives etc), NGOs (HelpAge, Ramakrishna Mutt, Lions Clubs), SCAs,
Federations ( FESCO, TESCCON, TCSCCON), Media (Indian Express, Hans
India etc). He said that this seminar is the first one in India as far
as the topic is concerned and perhaps also the first in the State on
CSR initiated by SCA.
Keynote address by Sri RN Mital was very comprehensive, full of
impressive data to show that senior citizens are neglected by
corporate sector in their CSR activity. After highlighting the
lacunae, in the present CSR dispensation, he suggested some remedial
measures which have become resolutions of the event. Sri Rungta
emphasized that youngsters should be taught to respect the elderly; he
also advised that seniors should not part with their money or
property, in order to assure their own welfare and to avoid abuse.
Smt Gayatri Subramaniam presented the seminar proper. She traced the
history of evolution of CSR concept that has become mandatory under
law. Gandhi's Trusteeship Concept is forerunner to CSR. GOI spends 9
Lakh Crore rupees on developmental activities. But most of it does not
reach the target beneficiaries. Out of 13 Lakh companies registered,
some 11 lakh companies exist now; Some 16000 corporates come under the
purview of CSR. Such companies should spend 2% of their past three
years' average profits for CSR. Company Law has 400+ sections but only
one section – sec 135 – talks of CSR in entirety. Rules for this
section have also been framed. Schedule 7 of rules list activities,
expenditure relating to which, CSR obligation can be fulfilled.
Welfare of senior citizens has been added last year.
Some points that were new to most participants are:
· There is punishment if CSR obligations are not met.
· Liberal interpretation schedule 7 is advised and promoted
· What activities will not come under CSR explained and listed
· Companies that give money, NGOs who are implementers,
Communities that are targets, GOI as monitoring agency are various
arms / segments connected with CSR
Her presentation was precise, highly professional, educative and
interactive. It was listened to by a rapt audience.
Sri Dass spoke next, narrating his experiences in tapping CSR funds.
IT Companies are most reluctant group to open up, he said. HelpAge is
ready to help any SCA in preparing proper project report for
submission to corporate and act as a bridge. He requested NFCSR to
help convincing corporate to include Seniors' welfare in their
policies and budget. Companies are ready to give money for capital
expenses but are reluctant to provide for running / maintenance
expenses as monitoring such activities is a headache. It was with
their help we could ensure participation from CSR mandated companies.
Prof Visweswaraiah read out a two page memorandum addressed to the
State Government; this was to be given to the Chief Minister through
Dr Harish Rao. The memorandum listed several problems of senior
citizens that have not been attended to for the past several years.
Sri PVVGK Murthy read out five resolutions and all were passed.
Sri IM Bhalla, convener of the seminar doubled as Master of
ceremonies; His introduction of speakers and succinct summing up after
every speaker were marvelously professional.
After presentation of mementos for people on the dais, vote of thanks
by Sri Raza Mohamad, the meeting ended with National Anthem.
As against our expectation of about 150 participants, nearly 180
turned up. The hall was overflowing with every inch occupied. The
deepam decoration and Bathakamma were carried by Sobha and her team.
SCAs from districts like Adilabad, Kareemnagar, Nizambad, Nalgonda,
Warangal, Medak, Kurnool and even AP came in large numbers. Some
participants had flown from Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi as well
exclusively for this meeting. A folder containing relevant material
was distributed to all. The lunch after the meeting was appreciated by
many. Seminar was covered in Indian Express and Hans India newspapers.
A team of eight volunteers from HelpAge took active part in all
activities.
Jeevanadhara (OGH), Centre for Research and Development of Ethics
(CRDE), Impex India, TCSCCON sponsored the event with some funds.
Exide Life Insurance Limited and AASARA did not fulfill their
assurances of financial help. However their names were included in our
banner based on their commitments.
=============
Friday, November 21, 2014
Open letter to Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on KVS Retirees
To
The Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,
With due respects, I wish to bring to ur kind notice the miserable
plight of KVS PENSIONERS devoid of a major health facility i.e. CGHS
in their old age.
Although the KVS (Kendrya Vidyala Sangathan) retirees avail all
benefits on par with central pensioners, this facility alone was
removed in the year 2002 without any valid reason..However those in
service are allowed the cghs facility while the retirees alone
are denied of this . This grave discrimination has been brought to the
notice of all concerned , but of no avail .All our representations
fell deaf years. Even courts could give no relief .Justice delayed is
justice denied...
We humbly seek your kind intervention . YOU ARE ONLY OUR RAY OF HOPE
You alone can do justice to the needy aged people We do hope and
request u to extend the cghs facility to KVS pensioners,
With warm regards,
Sd|- Satyanarayana Velaverthipati . E.O. KVS Retd.
186, Vasavinagar, Karkhana , Secunderabad-500015. Telangana State.
Mob 9866513434
================
The Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,
With due respects, I wish to bring to ur kind notice the miserable
plight of KVS PENSIONERS devoid of a major health facility i.e. CGHS
in their old age.
Although the KVS (Kendrya Vidyala Sangathan) retirees avail all
benefits on par with central pensioners, this facility alone was
removed in the year 2002 without any valid reason..However those in
service are allowed the cghs facility while the retirees alone
are denied of this . This grave discrimination has been brought to the
notice of all concerned , but of no avail .All our representations
fell deaf years. Even courts could give no relief .Justice delayed is
justice denied...
We humbly seek your kind intervention . YOU ARE ONLY OUR RAY OF HOPE
You alone can do justice to the needy aged people We do hope and
request u to extend the cghs facility to KVS pensioners,
With warm regards,
Sd|- Satyanarayana Velaverthipati . E.O. KVS Retd.
186, Vasavinagar, Karkhana , Secunderabad-500015. Telangana State.
Mob 9866513434
================
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Generic Drugs to be Cheaper from December 1; Chemists for Strict Norms
Read the last line. Hats ff to Krishna District in AP
====================================
Generic Drugs to be Cheaper from December 1; Chemists for Strict Norms
By Express News Service
Published: 14th November 2014 06:06 AM
Last Updated: 14th November 2014 06:06 AM
VIJAYAWADA: The Krishna District Chemists and Druggists Association has demanded that the government make sure that the terms 'generic' and 'branded generic' be specifically printed on medicines to create awareness among the public.
Addressing a press conference, general secretary of the Association PS Patnaik said that though the government had accorded permission to all pharmaceutical companies for manufacture of generic drugs to provide medicines at cheaper rates to the public, the companies were printing the same price for branded and generic medicines, thus making consumers pay more.
"Most of the doctors prescribe branded medicines but the consumers are sold generic medicines at the prices of branded medicines. This is unfair," Patnaik said.
He urged the government to pass guidelines to pharmaceutical companies to charge different prices for the same medicine produced in branded and generic categories and wanted them to be printed.
Patnaik said the association had demanded that the state government bring pressure on the Medical Council of India (MCI) to instruct doctors to prescribe generic medicines for the patients. This was the easiest way to popularise generic medicines and fulfil the government's objective of making medicines available to people at cheaper prices.
Patnaik said generic medicines would be sold at about 2,000 medical shops across the district. Special posters would be displayed at medical shops where generic medicines were available.
"The government is planning to open 1,000 generic medical shops in the state. As we already have all the necessary infrastructure and qualified manpower, we have decided to sell generic medicines at discounted prices from Dec 1 at all medical shops in Krishna district. Efforts are also being made to sell generic medicines all over AP," Patnaik revealed.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Lay down the law | TNS - The News on Sunday
Situation in Pakistan regarding senior citizens is slowly improving.
At least one province has senior law.
==============
Shahzada Irfan Ahmed November 2, 2014 Leave a comment
Lack of interest of the government in law-making for the elderly adds to their problems
Looking into history, it becomes obvious that the governments have not developed policies that may help the older people to remain active and capable of achieving their potential, for themselves and for society. Lawmakers may have made promises to adopt policies to facilitate their needs — but promises are not always kept.
A Senior Citizen Bill was presented in the National Assembly in the 1990s for the first time. However, it remained unattended till last year an Islamabad-based welfare organisation, Pakistan National Council on Ageing (PNCA), took it up. The draft was improved after several consultative meetings.
PNCA, that has retired bureaucrats, along with others, among its office-bearers, proposed changes in existing laws. But there is no breakthrough yet.
PNCA, that has retired bureaucrats, along with others, among its office-bearers, proposed changes in existing laws. But there is no breakthrough yet.
Currently, the bill lies with the Commission of Justice and Human Rights and its approval is awaited before it can be presented in the National Assembly.
This is despite the fact that Pakistan is among the 15 countries where population of people over the age of 60 is more than 10 million.
As per a study titled, Ageing in the 21st Century — A celebration and a challenge, around seven per cent of the total population of Pakistan is over 60 with a figure of 11.6 million. "This figure will rise to 43.3 million or 16 per cent population by 2050," says Waqas Qureshi, Communication and Advocacy Officer at HelpAge International in Pakistan. The London-based HelpAge is the only international organisation working on these issues in Pakistan. The study cited above was produced jointly by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and HelpAge International.
Qureshi says there is no significant development regarding such legislation in Balochistan. A senior citizen bill has been introduced in the Sindh Assembly on Oct 27, 2014. In Punjab, the draft law is ready and after input and review by different ministries involved, it is awaiting approval of the cabinet. There is need for active involvement of the ruling party so that it can be taken up on a priority basis. Once the cabinet reviews and approves it, it can be sent to the assembly for approval.
The draft law calls for the formation of a council comprising minister, parliamentarians, retired academics, representatives of NGOs, member of business community, etc, which shall compile data on various aspects of ageing. It shall also formulate policy proposals and action plan concerning senior citizens of urban and rural areas.
The council, when formed, will find solutions for various areas relating to senior citizens, such as financial assistance, medical care, legal aid, recreation, foster care, public transport, funeral and burial services, housing, interest-free soft loans to senior citizens, and any other measures.
The situation is encouraging in KP where the draft was taken up for the first time towards the end of 2013. Within 10 months, the draft has been approved in a cabinet meeting, signed by KP chief minister and sent for approval. Today, KP is the first province to have a Senior Citizens' Ordinance.
Qureshi believes a major role is was played by Older People Associations (OPAs), which are running different projects and advocacy campaigns in the province. "There are about 200 OPAs, comprising older people which are supported by HelpAge," he says. The members of OPAs are also given loans against social collateral so that they can start businesses, especially in rural areas.
Pakistan has also made an international commitment about developing age-friendly cities. In 2007, the World Health Organisation (WHO) arranged a meeting in which 33 countries participated and promised to introduce senior citizen-friendly urban planning. PCNA also participated in this meeting and Capital Development Authority (CDA) signed an MoU with WHO. But even after the passage of so many years there is not much progress in this regard.
Abdul Rub Farooqi, Executive Director, Jaag Welfare Movement, a Punjab-based organisation working on senior citizens says that his organisation has conducted several consultations and seminars for advocacy of Punjab Senior Citizen Bill with parliamentarians. But the progress, he says, has been slow. He adds the bill is in the cabinet division. He says several ministers have made promises to take the bill forward but to no avail.
Farooqi says the government must realise that legal framework is more important than allocating billions in funds like those meant for building old homes in the province. "The government," he says, "must pass the law and set up the council which shall decide whether there is need for old houses or not. It can go for old homes only if the council approves them."
Farooqi says the government must realise that legal framework is more important than allocating billions in funds like those meant for building old homes in the province. "The government," he says, "must pass the law and set up the council which shall decide whether there is need for old houses or not. It can go for old homes only if the council approves them."
He hopes funds will not be a problem as social welfare allocations, Bait ul Maal funds and donations could be used to provide social security cover and other facilities to older people. The corporate sector can also direct their funds in this direction. "Why older people cannot be categorised as vulnerable?" he asks.
http://tns.thenews.com.pk/lay-law-2/#.VFb0STSUe9s
http://tns.thenews.com.pk/lay-law-2/#.VFb0STSUe9s
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