UP’s ‘elderline’ gets 6.7k calls in a month

NOIDA: Over 6,700 elderly residents have dialled the centralised helpline — 14567 — in Uttar Pradesh within the first 28 days of its launch.
So far, the majority of callers sought information on the procedure to be followed to avail benefits of the government welfare schemes. But, recently, a lot of them have sought tips on how to stay protected from the third Covid wave while at home.
The helpline, launched for senior citizens on May 17, IS run by Uttar Pradesh Industrial Consultants Limited (UPICON).The initiative promises help to senior citizens within 48 hours.
In every district, a field response officer (FRO) has been deputed to resolve the complaints. While medical or personal emergency, depression, loneliness, break-down are accorded the highest priority, issues about property disputes, delay in disbursement of the welfare schemes and others are passed on to the department concerned.
UPICON managing director Pravin Singh, said: “When we get a call, the first thing that our executives find is the status of vaccination. Details of those yet to be vaccinated are compiled and forwarded to the local chief medical officer. Getting vaccinated is the first protection layer followed by exercises, breathing technique and yoga.” Keeping a spirometer for healthy lungs or keeping balloons handy the first suggestion offered to the group.
Help was sought by a 63-year-old resident of Dankaur in Greater Noida, Pratap Singh, who was a labourer. He said he was the only breadwinner for his family of three. Singh has been unable to find work for the past four months. He said his son Raghavendra, a BCom graduate, has been struggling to find a job as well.
“We got a prompt response. We submitted all the necessary documents. They asked us to wait for a week for final disposal,” said Raghavendra. Social welfare officer, Gautam Budh Nagar, Shailendra Singh, said the documents are being verified.
“From GB Nagar, only 14 senior citizens have approached the helpline, of which four have been found actionable,” the official said.
In Raebareli, field officer Aditya Varma rescued a 70-year-old Jagan Nath Srivastava, who was disowned by his family. “Jagan is now at an old age home,” said Varma.