UP: ‘If you see homeless elderly people in winter, dial 14567 or 112’

Noida: As harsh winter grips the state, the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department has launched an initiative to provide shelter to the destitute elderly people at old-age homes to protect them from cold weather conditions.

The facility is available across department-run old age homes in all 75 districts of the state, including Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad in western Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

The general public can also inform government officials about destitute elderly people by calling the Elder Line on 14567 or the state police’s emergency number 112, they said.

The old age homes have facilities for food, warm clothes, medicines, means of entertainment, etc..

Additionally, doctors are also available so that sick elderly people can be treated, if needed, according to officials.

“The state government is continuously working for the safety, health and dignity of the weak and destitute elderly people of the society. For this, adequate arrangements have been made by the government in old age homes.

“A campaign has been started to save destitute elderly people from the cold wave,” UP Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge) Asim Arun told reporters.

The minister has also written a letter to the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh, seeking cooperation in surveying destitute elderly people and taking them to old age homes with respect.

District Social Welfare Officers across the state are contacting the Superintendent of Police/Commissioner of Police of their district to establish coordination. If the police personnel see any destitute old people during night patrolling, with the help of the Social Welfare Department, they will be taken to old age homes.