Lok Sabha Question No. 4014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-20
Subject: Funds for Old Age Homes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4014 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2018

## FUNDS FOR OLD AGE HOMES

## 4014. SHRI RA VNEET SINGH:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has not sanctioned any funds for setting up of new old age homes and maintenancelupkeep of old age homes in the of Ludhiana and if So, the details thereof; city
- (b) whether the Government has not sanctioned the pension for old and senior citizens that were awarded under various Government schemes since September; 2017;
- c) if so, the reasons therefor, and the details of the funds released to the of Ludhiana for such purposes; and city
- (d) whether the Government is monitoring the effectiveness of utilisation of funds for old age outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

- (a) The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) since 1992 with the objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter; food, medical case and entertainment   opportunities and by encouraging   productive and active   ageing: Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. for running and maintenance of projects like Old Homes; Physiotherapy Centres, Care Centres, etc. Age Day

The Scheme of IPOP is a demand driven Scheme, wherein financial assistance in the form of grant in aid is released to NGOs after receiving proposals online through the State Governments concerned, complete in all respects.

running and maintenance of Old Age Homes in Ludhiana. During 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 12.51 lakhs was released to five NGOs in Punjab for running and maintenance of seven projects under IPOP Scheme. Till 15.03.2018 an amount of Rs. 11.82 lakhs has been released to four NGOs in Punjab for running and maintenance of six projects, during the Financial Year 2017-18.

(b) and (c): As per information received from the Ministry of Rural  Development Old Age Pension is provided under the "Indira Gandhi National Old Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)" to the persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households of age of 60 years or more 500 per month to the persons of age of 80 years or more\_ There is no other eligibility criteria prescribed by the Government for getting assistance under IGNOAPS. There is no proposal for discontinuation of this scheme. Age are released the Ministry of Rural  Development under the Scheme of IGNOAPS. Identification of beneficiaries, sanction and disbursement of benefit is done by the State Governments. During 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 30.02 crore was released to the State Government of Punjab under IGNOAPS. being by

(d): The performance of the NGOs under the Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) is monitored from time to time through, inter alia, periodic field visits by the nodal officers Inspection of projects by Regional  Resources   Training Centres (RRTCs), inspection of the projects under the Scheme by the Distt. Social Welfare Officer of the State Govt.

Grants to NGOs is also   released   only receipt of' satisfactory   Inspection   Report Utilization Certificate in respect of grants released during the previous year $ ete. on

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