Chandigarh, Nov. 16 -- The social welfare committee of Chandigarh Administration has expressed serious concern over the increasing stray animal, including dogs, menace in Chandigarh and has desired strong and stern steps be taken to curb the same. It was pointed out that because of the stray dogs and stray animals menace in Chandigarh, a large number of people are being hit almost every day which has caused panic in the minds of people especially children, women and elderly citizens. The committee which met under the chairmanship of Satya Pal Jain, additional solicitor general of India, in UT Guest House last evening, decided to take up this issue on priority basis and involve the representatives of various social organisations of Chandigarh to suggest a proper solution to the problem. The members also expressed concern over the delay in the construction of Senior Citizen Home in Sector 49, Chandigarh. It was noticed that although a plot of more than one acre had been earmarked for this purpose, about 2 years back, still the construction plan is moving with a very slow speed. The committee asked the UT engineering department to expedite the implementation of this project and submitthe status report in the committee's next meeting. The committee was informed that out of 31 missing children in Chandigarh, seven children have been traced and now 24 children are missing. The Committee requested the Chandigarh Police to expedite the tracing of these children. It was noticed that a 5 acre plot is lying vacant in Sector 41 which was earmarked for CGHS Dispensary. The committee requested the department concerned to submit a status report before the next date of meeting as to what steps have been taken to construct the dispensary. The social welfare committee also recommended the UT administration to take extra care for the senior citizens in the matter of law and order, their visiting various government offices, etc. It was pointed out by Dr Parminder Singh that GMSH-16 has now earmarked an ambulance with the requisite medical staff to visit the residences of senior citizens in case of any medical requirement. The social welfare committee also reiterated its recommendation for increasing the old age, widow and disabled pension to Rs.2,000 per month which is pending from the last so many years. The committee reiterated its demand for opening of evening OPDs in the government dispensaries, and noted that the final report has been submitted to the finance department for sanctioning Rs.7 crore for the current year....