Punjab govt ensures speedy redressal of complaints via toll free helpline, Minister Baljit Kaur calls it 'boon' for elderly

Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Saturday said that it had made great strides in reaching out to the elderly population via a toll free helpline number. According to a release shared by the information and public relations department of the state, 61,413 calls have been received from different districts on this toll free number thus far. Out of this, 17,235 serviceable calls have been processed.

Calling helpline 14567 a 'boon' for the elderly, Punjab Social Security Minister Dr Baljit Kaur urged people to make maximum use of the service. She also reiterated the Bhagwant Mann-led government's efforts to aid the senior citizens of Punjab and its commitment to providing quick services and facilities to the community.

According to the lawmaker, 27,893 non-actionable calls have been received on this number and cases are being pursued on 16,285 calls.

Out of the thousands of serviceable calls that have been received thus far, 4,587 have been related to pension and 988 were legal in nature. There were also 535 calls pertaining to abuse, 548 COVID-19 support calls, 294 health-related queries and over 200 emotional support calls.

A variation of the 'helpline 14567' project had first been introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic by the Ministry of Social Justice. Termed the Elderline project, it was introduced in several states and the number remained operational on all seven days of the week from 8 am to 8 pm. Amid the pandemic, it was intended to provide "free information, guidance, emotional support, field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens".