IT IS heartening to read that this year's Budget will be one that "addresses the needs of all Singaporeans, for now and the future" ("Budget will cater for current, future needs: Tharman"; Feb 2).
Special attention has been drawn to citizens "who do not have much in their Central Provident Fund accounts, do not own Housing Board flats and lack family support".
In the course of the social work I am now engaged in, I have come across several such cases. I wonder how many more such people there are in our midst.
How can they be helped? The answer perhaps lies in the establishment of a national mechanism to prevent such people from falling through the cracks.
One such mechanism was suggested by ST deputy news editor Aaron Low ("Pension to give peace of mind to the elderly poor?"; Jan 1), who asked: "But what about those who don't have their own HDB flats and have little family support?"
While Mr Low's suggestion of a basic pension is laudable, it is meant only for the elderly poor.
What about the others, the poorest?
National University of Singapore economics professor Chia Ngee Choon has worked out that the basic pension scheme for the elderly poor would cost the state less than $369 million.
How much more would the scheme cost if it were extended to citizens who do not have an income, do not own Housing Board flats and lack family support?
Is this price too much to pay by those who are fortunate enough to live in comfort and free from want?
Last year, the Government made well-appreciated moves when it introduced the Pioneer Generation Package and the revamped MediShield Life scheme. These moves allayed the fears of a generation which felt left out. As a result, society feels more inclusive now.
On the occasion of SG50, the opportunity has arisen for a similar move to be made with respect to this category of our citizens. Such a move would make them feel that they, too, are deserving of the fruits of the state.
K. Kesavapany
Special attention has been drawn to citizens "who do not have much in their Central Provident Fund accounts, do not own Housing Board flats and lack family support".
In the course of the social work I am now engaged in, I have come across several such cases. I wonder how many more such people there are in our midst.
How can they be helped? The answer perhaps lies in the establishment of a national mechanism to prevent such people from falling through the cracks.
One such mechanism was suggested by ST deputy news editor Aaron Low ("Pension to give peace of mind to the elderly poor?"; Jan 1), who asked: "But what about those who don't have their own HDB flats and have little family support?"
While Mr Low's suggestion of a basic pension is laudable, it is meant only for the elderly poor.
What about the others, the poorest?
National University of Singapore economics professor Chia Ngee Choon has worked out that the basic pension scheme for the elderly poor would cost the state less than $369 million.
How much more would the scheme cost if it were extended to citizens who do not have an income, do not own Housing Board flats and lack family support?
Is this price too much to pay by those who are fortunate enough to live in comfort and free from want?
Last year, the Government made well-appreciated moves when it introduced the Pioneer Generation Package and the revamped MediShield Life scheme. These moves allayed the fears of a generation which felt left out. As a result, society feels more inclusive now.
On the occasion of SG50, the opportunity has arisen for a similar move to be made with respect to this category of our citizens. Such a move would make them feel that they, too, are deserving of the fruits of the state.
K. Kesavapany
