Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to late Umesh Agrawal on his 66th birth anniversary in Dehradun, highlighting senior citizen welfare schemes including old age pension, free cataract surgery, and model old age homes.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Pays Tribute to Late Umesh Agrawal on His 66th Birth Anniversary
Senior Citizens Are the Living Pillars of Culture and Values: CM
Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday participated in the Maatri-Pitru Bhakti Diwas program organized on the occasion of the 66th birth anniversary of late Umesh Agrawal at GMS Road, Dehradun. On the occasion, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to late Umesh Agrawal and remembered his invaluable contribution to social service, organizational strengthening, and nation-building.
The Chief Minister said that late Umesh Agrawal devoted his entire life to serving the organization, society, and the nation. While discharging various responsibilities within the Bharatiya Janata Party in Dehradun, he played a key role in strengthening the party organization. Public service and development remained his top priorities throughout his life. As the Executive President of the Provincial Industry Trade Representatives Federation and Patron of the Doon Industry Trade Board, he consistently worked for resolving the issues faced by traders.
Emphasizing the importance of senior citizens, the Chief Minister said that elders are not only the guardians of families but also the living carriers of our culture, traditions, and moral values. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is continuously working towards the welfare, dignity, and empowerment of senior citizens.
The Chief Minister informed that under the Old Age Pension Scheme, the state government is providing a monthly pension of ₹1,500 to eligible senior citizens, benefiting nearly six lakh elderly people across the state. Under this scheme, both eligible husband and wife are entitled to receive separate pensions.
He further stated that with the support of the Central Government, a Model Old Age Home is being constructed in Rudrapur. For the first time in the state, a Geriatric Caregiver Training Program has been launched to prepare skilled human resources for the care of senior citizens, under which around 20 master trainers have already been trained. The Chief Minister added that the government has set a target to prepare at least 50 master trainers and provide geriatric caregiver training to 150 individuals in each district during the current year.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the state government is providing free cataract surgery facilities to senior citizens, with a target of conducting 1,300 free surgeries in the year 2025. Considering the challenges emerging in family relationships in changing times, the state government has effectively implemented the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, which provides elderly citizens the legal right to seek maintenance from their children or legal heirs.
On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, BJP Organization General Secretary Ajey Kumar, MLAs Savita Kapoor, Khajan Das, Umesh Sharma “Kau”, Dehradun Metropolitan President Siddharth Agrawal, along with other public representatives, dignitaries, and social workers were present.
