This was stated by the president in its executive committee meeting held in Aizawl on Thursday. The MUP also asked the concern authority to consult the concerned MUP unit in the selection of senior citizens to received old age pension. The executive committee also agreed to amend some sections of their constitution.
Earlier, the MUP had urged the state government to expeditiously set up geriatric ward in all district civil hospitals as per the Centre's policy. The MUP president had said that with the increasing number of octogenarians in Mizoram, geriatrics wards are the need of the hour. Till October last year, 23,547 persons in Mizoram were getting old age pension, the MUP president pointed out that beneficiaries are not getting equal amount, with some getting Rs 250 per month while others get Rs 200 for the same period. The Mizoram government is yet to implement Rs 500 per month pension for people of above 80 years old. A survey has found that senior citizens in rural areas are not getting enough care, comfort and nutrition compared to their counterparts in the urban areas, said MUP official today.