NEW DELHI, Nov 6:
In good news for lakhs of pensioners, the central Government has decided to use their services on voluntary basis for implementing various welfare programmes.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DPPW) has started a unique initiative – Sankalp – to provide a platform for pensioners to access opportunities available for useful interventions in the society.
“Considering the fact that the average life expectancy today is 76 years, it is felt that Government servants when they superannuate at 60 have a number of years of active life left which can be devoted towards contribution to society.
“There are close to 50,000 fresh retirees from the Central Civil category every year. A large number of these pensioners feel the loss of a daily routine as well as a feeling of not being wanted. Keeping these factors in mind, the Sankalp initiative was started,” a senior DPPW official said.
The initiative, started on pilot basis for channelising the experience and skill of civil pensioners into meaningful social activities, also helps organisations working for welfare of society select appropriate skill and expertise from the available pool of volunteers, the DPPW said.
There are about 53,79,121 central Government pensioners including those from defence. Of these, 11,80,554 are civil pensioners, according to data updated till March 2013 by the Centre.
Under the programme, both the organisation and pensioners can register at www.Pensionersportal.Gov.In/sankalp/.
“The organisation can then choose a pensioner based on required skills from his details available online,” the official said.
At present, there are at least 744 pensioners and 13 organisations associated with the initiative, according to the information available on Sankalp’s website.
However, the department, in a disclaimer, clarified that it doesn’t endorse or recommend the pensioners in any way.
“Sankalp lists a number of pensioners and organisations in India based on self declaration. This does not imply that pensioners or organisations are endorsed or recommended in any way by DPPW by the concerned ministries, departments, Government bodies.
“Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare does not guarantee that the information contained on the website is complete and correct and shall not be liable whatsoever for any damages incurred as a result of its use,” the disclaimer on the Sankalp’s website said. (PTI)
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