J-K govt orders setting up two homes for elderly persons with chronic illnesses

The Jammu and Kashmir government Wednesday ordered setting up of two rehabilitation homes, one each at Srinagar and Jammu, for elderly persons living with chronic illnesses.

According to an order, issued by Secretary Social Welfare Farooq Ahmad Lone, each home shall have an intake capacity of 25 such inmates who have been cured and do not need further hospitalisation but are homeless or not accepted by their families.

"The rehabilitation homes will be housed in rented accommodation preferably in close vicinity of psychiatric diseases hospital till the time land is identified for setting up of permanent homes by the government," reads the order.

The physical infrastructure, human resources and other norms, shall be strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it said.

The annual ceiling for running of homes shall be restricted to Rs 30 lakh per annum per home, as per order.

The human resources required shall be hired on outsourcing basis or by internal adjustment as would be feasible and no posts shall be created for the purpose, it said.

"The homes, so established, shall work under the administrative control and supervision of respective directorates of social welfare, Kashmir and Jammu," it said.