The Resource Alliance- India NGO Award Backgroundthe Federation of Senior Citizens

 The Resource Alliance- India NGO Award BACKGROUND

The Federation of Senior Citizens Organisations Maharashtra (FESCOM) was established on December 12, 1980 in Mumbai, to unify and strengthen the comprehensive welfare activities of senior citizens and their organisations under one banner with the aim of utilising their knowledge, experience, wisdom, energy, and skill for the welfare of society in general and of senior citizens in particular.

Maharashtra has a population of 96,752,247 as per the Census of 2001. Ten per cent of this population, i.e., over 96 lakh people are senior citizens and are spread over urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of the state. Over 860 senior citizen associations are affiliated to FESCOM.

FESCOM has 9 Region Councils which take care of the member organisations established at district, taluka, village and small vasti levels all over the state. They form the link between the functioning unit and the apex body – FESCOM. These councils are spread over Mumbai, Pune, Konkan, Nagar-Nashik, Khandesh, Marathwada, Kolhapur, Vidarbha West, and Vidarbha East.

The objective of FESCOM is to bring together all societies, associations, and clubs interested in and devoted to the welfare of the aged and/or the allied science of gerontology and geriatrics in all aspects under one state-level body. FFESCOM seeks to act as their representative and to coordinate, synchronise, and promote their interests, to grant affiliation to them, and to promote and maintain the dignity and quality of life of older citizens through various schemes and programmes aimed at addressing their basic needs and rights while simultaneously carrying out advocacy efforts to ensure their entitlements and due rights.

IMPACT

FESCOM follows a two-pronged approach to ensure quality of life to its members. On the one hand, they develop and implement programmes aimed at addressing the basic needs of their members, such as shelter, education, entertainment, and inclusion. On the other hand, they ensure the rights of their members through sustained advocacy initiatives with the authorities at each level. The key activities include conducting seminars, workshops, group discussions, and annual conferences, meeting with government authorities for seeking concessions to and rebates for senior citizens to which they are entitled, and corresponding with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Reserve Bank of India to draw their attention to issues concerning the welfare of senior citizens.

FESCOM has succeeded in procuring several tangible and non-tangible benefits for the senior citizens of Maharashtra. Amongst them are 50 percent concessions in the ordinary buses operated by the State Road Transport Corporation for people over 65 years of age; 30 percent concession in railway fare for people over 60 years of age; free medical examinations in government hospitals; a higher interest rate (9 per cent) for fixed deposits in banks and post offices; reserved seats in BEST buses in Greater Mumbai, issuance of more than one lakh identity cards in the last four years in Maharashtra state as per the relevant government scheme, and approval of separate rows for senior citizens in hospitals and railway reservation counters.

FESCOM also continues to undertake advocacy efforts with the central and the state governments for the implementation of national and state policies for older people.

FESCOM is now recognised as a premier state-level organisation of senior citizens in India.

GOVERNANCE

The executive body of FESCOM is the governing council, which is duly elected in biannual elections as per the constitution of the organisation. There are nine regional councils, and the presidents of these councils become the ex officio members of the governing council. The most recent president and the most recent general secretary are the other ex officio members of the governing council.

The governing council reviews the progress made in achieving the various goals set from time to time. It is responsible to the general body of FESCOM, which consists of one representative of each affiliated member organisation. The president and the general secretary issue policy guidelines and maintain contact with all stakeholders. Reviews of the work being carried out are made from time to time, and action for further improvement is taken when needed. Spot visits are made by office bearers from the bottom or the micro level to evaluate their views and assess their involvement in the senior citizens’ movement for which FESCOM works.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION

FESCOM’s main resource base is its membership. This simple yet effective fundraising method helps generate resources for not only the central body but also for the regional councils of FESCOM. Senior citizens pay an annual subscription fee depending on the strength of the concerned organisation’s membership. The regions retain 50 percent of the subscription amount and credit the balance 50 per cent to FESCOM. In the case of newly affiliated associations, the entire entrance fee is credited to the FESCOM account by the regions. Members are also encouraged to give donations on various occasions such as birthdays and anniversary celebrations of the organisation.

FESCOM publishes souvenirs for occasions like the annual conference. Sponsorships and advertisements are solicited from business establishments for inclusion in these publications. The earnings from these souvenirs are a major source of income for the organisation.

FUTURE PLANS

Future plans include construction of a home for senior citizens called “Jyeshtha Nagrik Bhawan” at Nerul, Navi Mumbai for which it proposes to raise Rs. 80 lakh. The response from within the organisation has not been adequate, given the limited resources available with the members. FESCOM is thus seeking institutional support to raise finances for the building fund. It also plans to scale up the fundraising activities with the corporate sector, since this interaction will not only help in raising resources but will also assist in increasing awareness about the issues affecting older people among a new target group. January 4 at 10:38pm

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