Today, in the context of the fifth National Senior Citizens Day, it is appropriate to shed some light on the state's responsibility towards senior citizens. On 11 Poush, 2051, the then government started distributing monthly social security allowance to senior citizens above the age of 75. This day has been celebrated as a national day since 2078 BS in memory of the day when the government decided to distribute 100 rupees per person.

According to experts' projections, the population of senior citizens is estimated to reach 2.1 billion by 2050 as a result of the increase in human life expectancy due to changes in modern health science, nutrition, and lifestyle. According to the 2078 BS census, the population of senior citizens is 2.977 million. In the context of Nepal, this number is also estimated to double in the coming decade. In the case of the growing population, the issue of managing senior citizens has become a special challenge today. The state should start working in a planned manner on issues such as investment in senior citizens, its returns, and ensuring rights. If the formulation of a national policy, action plan, and strategic plan for senior citizens is delayed, this situation will become even more complex, burdensome, and unmanageable.

The sole objective of the National Senior Citizens Federation is the issue of senior citizens, and their prosperity and progress are the concern of the Federation. It is the responsibility of citizens and the state to make the lives of senior citizens peaceful and protect their right to live a dignified and respectful life in their homes and families.

As envisioned in 2058 BS, the National Senior Citizens Network was established in 2060 BS and has been working. Later, on 2068 BS, the National Senior Citizens Federation was established. As per the fourth amendment to the Federation's statute 2068 BS, three-tier organizations have been established, including 77 (district) local levels, 7 provinces and the center, and about 17,000 active senior citizens are working. It is estimated that the active number of senior citizens affiliated with senior citizen organizations across the country is about 85,000.

Various activities and programs related to senior citizens are being conducted through the efforts of government and non-government organizations. In this context, the following types of services, facilities and discounts can be explained. 

Discounts on vehicles 

The Senior Citizens Act 2063 BS clearly stipulates that 2 seats should be reserved for senior citizens in public vehicles and at least 50 percent discount should be given on the fare, although this provision has not been fully implemented. Therefore, the reservation system regarding the fare charged on public transport and the entry fee to enter any public place should be abolished and a system should be made to provide discounts on a percentage basis to all senior citizens. 

Discounts and facilities in health services

Make mandatory arrangements for senior citizen (geriatric) wards in all types of private and government hospitals from the center to the local level (district) according to the need and capacity. Make arrangements for senior citizen to be given at least 50 percent discount when receiving treatment by health institutions designated by the Government of Nepal. 

There is a provision for free and partial health services to be provided from 94 hospitals under the Social Service Unit Program. Similarly, designated health services have been provided partially and free of charge from 64 hospitals under the Senior Citizen Health Service Program. 

The number of senior citizen allowance beneficiaries in Nepal who receive social security allowance for senior citizens is 166,370, of which 161,825 are Dalit senior citizens, 173,560 are single women senior citizens, and 17,169 are senior citizens in designated areas. 

On the other hand, there is a legal provision in the amended act to deposit 10 percent of the income from the next of kin into the parents' account on a monthly basis, but it has not been implemented. Through government and non-government efforts, there are senior citizen service centers (old age homes), day care centers, senior citizen clubs, and senior citizen meeting centers in various districts of Nepal. According to the information of the Federation, there are 273 day care centers and 115 old age homes. 

Other legal provisions

If the head, operator, employee or any other person of a care center, senior citizen service center or day care center does or causes to be taken the property of a senior citizen with malicious intent, he will be punished with imprisonment for 1 year to 5 years or a fine of the amount or both. Whoever makes a senior citizen beg for alms will be punished with imprisonment for 1 year or a fine of 30,000 to 90,000 rupees or both. Whoever makes a senior citizen a monk, monk or fakir against his will will be punished with imprisonment for 1 year to 5 years or a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 rupees or both.

Any offense against a disabled senior citizen or a senior citizen who has completed 75 years of age will be punished by 25 percent more than the punishment provided by law. The National Senior Citizens Federation has been putting necessary pressure on the state and government from time to time to implement, comply with and fully comply with the legal provisions made by the Senior Citizens Act 2063 (including amendment 2079) and the Senior Citizens Regulations- 2065 (including amendment). 

The federation is taking special initiatives to make policy arrangements to bring billions of rupees in accounts that have been inactive and neglected for a long time in various banks to the senior citizens' fund. Health insurance should be made systematic and senior citizen-friendly. All the physical structures built in the state, community and family have not been able to be senior citizen-friendly. Only by including moral education as well as geriatric education in the curriculum from secondary to higher education will the importance of senior citizens increase in the new generation. This will develop in the new generation a sense of service, protection, respect and protection of senior citizens and a good culture of children living together with their parents can be developed. 

If a legal arrangement is made to allow a son-in-law or daughter-in-law to withdraw the portion of the ancestral property given to them at any time if they do not take care of it, then the son-in-law or daughter-in-law can become more responsible. The need of the day is to identify and bridge the gap between generations. The role of caregivers is also very important for senior citizens. It seems that the lives of senior citizens will remain dull and lonely until at least one day care center is established in every ward of every municipality in the country. Similarly, it is necessary to inform senior citizens about their legal rights and entitlements.