Kathmandu, June 27:

Speakers at a programme held here today urged the government to put in place a helpline that will assist in finding temporary shelters for those senior citizens who have been left to fend for themselves.

Sabitri Thapa, a member of the National Elderly Citizen Organisation Network, Nepal, said, “The Elderly Citizen Act 2006 has it that citizens should provide information to local authorities concerned about unattended senior citizens, legal provisions aimed at addressing the woes of senior citizens are very inadequate.”

Presenting a paper on senior citizens, Thapa said, “The government should look after destitute senior citizens. It should form a mobile team to identify the senior citizens and hand them over to the care centres.”

Dr Leela Devi KC, president of the NECONN, said, “NGOs should work to reunite senior citizens with their families. “A legal provision should be introduced to punish the relatives and children, who force senior citizens out of their homes after taking their property away.”

Dr KC urged the government to provide financial aid to NGOs and care centres to enhance their managerial aspects. The government should make sure that all senior citizens get allowances meant for them, she said.

Devendra Subedi, a Superintendent of Police, said, “Agencies working for welfare of senior citizens should join hands to provide better services.”