The functioning of Elder Line, the national helpline for the elderly (14567), remains partial in the State even as the year’s end approaches.
The helpline has been functioning with minimal staff following a communication from the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) to the Social Justice department that runs the helpline in the State.
Only the helpline call centre has been operating with five call officers, down from the original 10, and a team leader since July 1. Other staff members (there were 25 staff members in all) have been asked to stay away till the completion of agreement renewal for the 2023-26 period or December 15 to which date the existing agreement had been temporarily extended, say the helpline staff.
