Basantpur Old Age Home Faces Crisis Due to Grant Delay
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Shimla, April 10 — The state-run old age home at Basantpur is grappling with a severe financial crisis as it has not received its government grant. Employees have not been paid for two months, and essential medical care for the elderly has been severely affected.
Umang Foundation President, Prof. Ajai Srivastava, has written to Ashish Singmar, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, demanding urgent action. He highlighted that due to lack of funds, sick residents are unable to be taken to IGMC, Shimla, for treatment, and the only emergency vehicle is now unavailable due to unpaid dues.
With around 50 elderly residents, many of whom suffer from physical or mental ailments, the home is now dependent on borrowed ration and may soon be unable to provide food. Prof. Srivastava demanded that instead of grant-in-aid, the home should receive a regular budget like Nari Seva Sadan and Bal Ashrams.
Notably, Srivastava had filed a PIL in 2012 citing human rights violations at the home. In 2015, the High Court directed the government to build a new facility and ensure full protection of residents’ rights, leading to the construction of a modern building.
