In an effort towards enhancing social security for senior citizens, the government has set aside Nu 2bn for the implementation of a new social protection system in the 13th Five-Year Plan. According to the prime minister, this initiative is expected to comprehensively study and revamp existing pension schemes and frameworks and to provide comprehensive care and support, particularly for elderly individuals.
During the Meet The Press session yesterday, acknowledging concerns raised by civil servants regarding the current pension system, the prime minister mentioned the need for thorough research and evaluation to address these issues effectively.
He also said that the pension scheme has to be extended beyond public servants and include private individuals and farmers residing in rural areas saying that ageing is a universal reality that transcends occupational boundaries.
“In that programme, we will research what support has to be given to the senior citizens group. One of the supports is the pension scheme. We will look into how to involve people in the scheme. Most of the public servants resign before they serve 20 years in service because they don’t want to join the pension scheme. People do not consider future security and look only at present comfort. So, how do we tackle this? We will study how people who get monthly pensions are benefitted and how the pension system can benefit everyone.”
Under the programme, the prime minister said that the government will facilitate medical checkups for proper physical examination of senior citizens without them having to visit hospitals.
According to the prime minister, the Nu 2bn will also look into matters involving the need for civil servants to attend the age of 57 to get their pension benefits.
The current government during the fourth parliamentary election campaign said that they will review the pension policy to eliminate the requirement for a 20-year service threshold for pension eligibility.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Kipchu
