Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Neglect of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. {359 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## NEGLECT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

+359. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

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

- (a) whether in the absence of basic facilities and neglect by other members of family, the life of senior citizens has become miserable
- (6) if the details thereof; and SO,
- (c) the corrective steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to enable them to live & life of dignity?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (6): The Government is aware of neglect of some Sr: Citizens by their kith and kin. However; no authentic data is available in this regard. The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act; 2017 which; inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/seniors citizens by their children/ relatives obligatory &nd justiciable through Tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of neglect by children/relatives; penal provisions for abandonment of senior citizens, medical facilities for senior citizens; and protection of life and property of senior citizens

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two detailed advisories dated 27.03.2008 and 30.08.2013 to all State   Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate measures ensure safety and security and for elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against old persons through initiatives such as identification of senior citizens, sensitization of police personnel regarding security of older persons visit of beat staff; up of toll verification of domestic helps, drivers, etc. safety, regular setting

(c): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the 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 care and  entertainment  opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing During the year 2016-17,a total of 761 projects were supported

Further; this Ministry has launched a Scheme namely, "Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana' on Ist April 2017 at Nellore, Andhra Pradesh: Under this Scheme, Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age related disability/ infirmity viz Low vision;

Hearing   impairment; Loss of   teeth and   Locomotor   disability, are provided with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily function;, overcoming the disabilitylinfirmity manifested.

As per the information furnished by Ministry of Rural Development; Old age pension is provided, under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme   (IGNOAPS), to the persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. Under the scheme Rs. 200/-p.m is provided to the persons of age 60-79 years and Rs 500/- p.m: is provided in the age of 80 years or more. The estimated number of beneficiaries under IGNOAPS is 221 lakhs.

Further; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that have launched the National Programme for they

- Geriatric OPD, 30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care, etc at Regional Geriatric Centres.

Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) to provide dedicated health care facilities to the elderly population in the country through State health Society (SHS) This is a health care scheme under which provisions have been made to establish health care setup tuned to needs of the elderly within the existing health care infrastructure in the StatesMUTs. Following facilities are provided under the Programme: people being

- Geriatric OPD and 10 bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals.
- Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs).
- Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community health Centres (CHCs).
- Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres

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