Africa-Press – Mauritius. A handing over of cheques to Senior Citizens’ Associations to partially assist them organising their end of year activities, was held, today, at the Social Security House in Rose Hill in presence of the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo.
The Chairperson of the Senior Citizens Council, Mr Hanslall Seebaruth, some 140 representatives of Senior Citizens Associations from the district of Lower Plaine Wilhems comprising Beau Bassin, Rose Hill and Quatre Bornes and other personalities were in attendance.
Addressing the elderly, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo dwelt on several governmental measures with the view to enhancing the quality of life of some 246 207 senior citizens.
To this end, she spoke of the Mobile App ‘Sekirite’, recently launched to ensuring better protection of the elders. Through the Mobile App, she said, elders who are being ill-treated can reach out to relevant authorities at a click of a button.
Necessary arrangement will be done by the Council at the start of next year to ensure that the elders have a knowledge of how to use the App. Underlining the contribution of the elders to the socio-economic development of the country, the Minister encouraged them to practice a physical activity and to do medical check-ups regularly so as to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Speaking on additional efforts of Government, the Social Security Minister elaborated on the increased in the old-aged pension. Those above 60 years old are benefitting from Rs 10 000; elders above 65 years old are receiving a sum of Rs 11 000; those aged between 90 to 99 years old, a sum of Rs 18 710; and centenarians are benefitting from Rs 23 710.
She highlighted that a sum of Rs 46.4 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity in the last budget adding that this increase demonstrates the commitment of Government to provide adequate facilities to the elders.
As for the Chairperson of the Senior Citizens Council, he recalled the challenging situation due to the COVID-19 while indicating that the senior citizens will spend a pleasant time with their friends after two years of the pandemic.
The increase in the annual grant in 2019 so that the elders can celebrate their end of year activities was also highlighted by Mr Seebaruth. Every year, during the period of November/December, the Senior Citizens Council provides a grant to all its affiliated Senior Citizens’ Associations for them to organise their end of year activities.
The distribution of the grant for other districts including Rodrigues will be carried out throughout the month of November. The Council regroups around 824 Senior Citizens’ Associations in Mauritius and 68 in Rodrigues, with 106 000 affiliated members.
The rates payable for the grant have been increased substantially since 2019 and the same rates have been maintained for this year. The payment is based on the number of members of the Associations as follows:
Up to 50 members, rate payable is Rs 1500; up to 51-100 members, rate payable is Rs 1900; up to 101 to 200 members, rate payable is Rs 2400; up to 201 to 300 members, rate payable is Rs 2800; up to 301 to 400 members, rate payable is Rs 3200; and over and above 401 members, rate payable is Rs 3500.
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