(1) The District Magistrate shall perform the duties and exercise the powers mentioned in sub-rules (2) and (3) so as to ensure that the provisions of the Act are properly carried out in his district.
(2) It shall be the duty of the District Magistrate to —
(i) ensure that life and property of senior citizens of the district are protected and they are able to live with security and dignity;
(ii) oversee and monitor the work of Maintenance Tribunals and Maintenance Officers of the District with a view to ensuring timely and fair disposal of applications for maintenance and execution of Tribunals' orders ;
(iii) oversee and monitor the working of old age homes in the district so as to ensure that they conform to the standards laid down in these rules, and any other guidelines and orders of the Government ;
(iv) ensure regular and wide publicity of the provisions of the Act, and Central and State Governments’ programmes for the welfare of senior citizens ;
(v) encourage and coordinate with Panchayats, Municipalities, Nehru Yuwa Kendras, Educational Institutions and especially their National Service Scheme Units, organisations, specialists, experts, activists, etc., working in the district so that their resources and efforts are effectively pooled for the welfare of senior citizens of the district ;
(vi) ensure provision of timely assistance and relief to senior citizens in the event of natural calamities and other emergencies;
375PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
(vii) ensure periodic sensitisation of officers of various departments and local bodies concerned with welfare of senior citizens, towards the needs of such citizens, and the duty of the officers towards the latter ;
(viii) review the progress of investigation and trial of cases relating to senior citizens in the district, except in cities having a Police Commissioner ;
(ix) ensure that adequate number of prescribed application forms for maintenance are available in offices of common contact for citizens like Panchayats, Post-offices, Block Development Offices, Tahsil Offices, Collectorate, Police Stations, etc.;
(x) promote establishment of dedicated helplines for senior citizens at district headquarters, to begin with; and
(xi) perform such other functions as the Government may by order, assign to the District Magistrate in this behalf, from time to time.
(3) With a view to performing the duties mentioned in sub-rule (2), the District Magistrate shall be competent to issue such directions, not inconsistent with the Act and these rules, and general guidelines of the Government, as may be necessary, to any concerned Government or statutory agency or body working in the district, and especially to the following:—
(a) Officers of the Government in the Police, Health and Publici ty Departments , and the department deal ing with welfare of senior citizens;
(b) Maintenance Tribunals and Conciliation Officers;
(c) Panchayats and Municipalities; and
(d) Educational Institutions.
CHAPTER–VI PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY OF SENIOR CITIZENS