Lok Sabha Question No. 1897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Welfare of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Mahabali Singh, Annpurna Devi, Pashupati Nath Singh

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +1897 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

## +1897. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH: SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEV: SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

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

- (a) the names of various schemes being implemented in Bihar and Jharkhand for the welfare of senior citizens:
- b) the total amount of funds allocated/released by the Union Government to Bihar and Jharkhand and utilised by these States during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding the said welfare schemes and if So, the types of such complaints; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government for resolution of the aforesaid complaints and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) to (b): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) since [992, under which grant in aid is given to Implementing Agencies (IAs) such as Non Governmental Organisations/ Voluntary Organizations/ States/Union Territories through registered Societies for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes/ Continuous Care Homesl Mobile Medicare Units etc. The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Older Persons by providing basic amenities  like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities etc .

Under the Scheme of [PSrC, funds are released directly to IAs on recommendation of the State Governments. (Jnder the Scheme, no IA is receiving fund in the State of Jharkhand as State Govt has not recommended proposals to this Department

Details of fund released to IAs of the State of Bihar under IPSrC during last three years; is as under:

| S.No.   | Year    |   Amount released and Utilised (in Lakh) |
|---------|---------|------------------------------------------|
|         | 2016-17 |                                    16.01 |
| 2       | 2017-18 |                                    13.37 |
| 3_      | 2018-19 |                                    22.92 |

This Ministry is also implementing & Central Sector Scheme namely Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana" (RVY) from [st April, 2017 with the objective to provide aids and assisted devices viz. walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches; tripods/quadpods, hearing aid, wheelchairs,  artificial dentures and spectacles etc. to Senior Citizens belonging to BPL category free of cost; The Scheme is implemented through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)' (a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry). living

Till date, 18 districts of the State of Bihar have been selected for implementation of the Scheme; out of which distribution camps have been held in 04 districts namely Bhojpur Buxar; Gaya and Begusarai.  Similarly, 20 districts of the state of Jharkhand have been selected for implementation of the Scheme, out of which distribution camps have been held in 03 districts namely Godda; Bokarao and Palamu Ara,

The Department has recently launched National Action Plan for the welfare of Senior Citizens (NAPSrC) to enable them to lead a life of dignity. It envisages programmes for financial   security, healthcare and nutrition; shelter and welfare   protection and property, active and productive ageing etc. NAPSrC is implemented by the States and other implementing agencies for the various activities/programmes included in NAPSrC: NAPSrC has been launched during the FY 2019-20 only and details of funds released to the State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand during 2019-20 are as under:

| S.No.   | State     |   Funds released (in Crore _ |
|---------|-----------|------------------------------|
|         | Bihar     |                         1.5  |
| 2_      | Jharkhand |                         0.75 |

The Ministry of Rural Development implements Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) in all the State/UTs including Bihar and Jharkhand under which central assistance is provided to the elderly persons belonging to BPL household, Under IGNOPAS, central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to the beneficiaries of age of 60-79 and Rs. 500/- per month is provided to the beneficiaries of age of 80 years and higher: State wise funds are released by the Ministry in two monthly installments, on the basis of requirement received from States/UTs Details of funds released to the State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand and utilized during last three years are as under: years

| Year      | 2016-17              | 2016-17   | 2017-18              | 2017-18   | 2018-19              | 2018-19   |
|-----------|----------------------|-----------|----------------------|-----------|----------------------|-----------|
|           | Released/ Allocation | Utilized  | Released/ Allocation | Utilized  | Released/ Allocation | Utilized  |
| Bihar     | 577.78               | 577.78    | 825.54               | 825.54    | 852.27               | 858.58    |
| Jharkhand | 243.49               | 243.49    | 252.16               | 234.23    | 248.19               | 241.95    |

(c): No Sir.

(d): Does not arise.