Himalayan News Service

Tanahun, February 20:

The health fund for senior citizens, set up in Byas municipality and 46 VDCs of Tanahun district last year, is going strong.

Shanta Poudel, 65, of the Women Development Section (WDS), Tanahun, said needy elderly men and women over 65 could get as much as Rs 2,000. Poudel added that this year, Rs 1,00,000 was allocated as funds.

Members of the WDS said that till date, 41 elderly persons had applied for the fund.

A committee comprising CDO Govinda Mani Bhurtel as coordinator, the Local Development Officer, a social worker and a Women Development officer as member-secretary had been set up for the purpose.

Poudel added the committee would give financial aid to those producing recommendation letters from the municipality and VDCs.

Last year, it distributed Rs 60,000 to 19 elderly men and 49 elderly women, the statistic department of the WDS said.

Beneficiary Buddhi Bahadur Kapali of Bandipur said the financial assistance was a great relief to him. Top Bahadur BK of Jamune-8 said he too was also glad to get Rs 1,200 for medical treatment.