Lok Sabha Question No. 281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-04
Subject: Welfare of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: H. Vasanthakumar

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 281 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2020

## WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

## 281. SHRI VASANTHAKUMAR H:

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

(a) whether the Government is concerned about the fact that the country has the second-largest population of senior citizens who deserve care  and concern, and the   fast-paced and ever changing life of is continuously widening the gap between   generations and thus the creation 0f a environment for the elderly is our traditional, moral and now even legal responsibility; today happy

- (b) if the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard; SO,
- (c) whether the Government proposes to remove the ceiling of Rs. 10,000 as maintenance and includes the preference to dispose of applications of senior citizens from the age of 60 onwards; and
- (d) if the details thereof

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): As per Census 2011. senior citizens constitute 8.6% of the total population of the country. The Government  announced the National on  Older Persons (NPOP) in 1999 which values an age-integrated society to strengthen bonds between the young and the old The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act; 2007 was enacted to emphasize upon the filial responsibility of children/relatives to take care of their parents/senior citizens so as t0 enable them to lead a normal life. Policy

The  Department has recently  launched the 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 of life and property; active and productive ageing etc. To encourage inter-generational bonding, it includes interventions such as convergence of Senior Citizen Homes with Children's Homes, motivation for youth to with the elderly, value education for youth on caring and sharing etc. stay

Under the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons , grant-in-aid is given to Institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathans, Universities/Colleges, local bodies etc. in undertaking awareness generation campaigns, namely workshops, seminars, street plays etc. about various policies and programmes for senior citizens

Further, to promote inter-generational   bonding; this Ministry conducts a weekly radio programme Sanwarti Jeevan Ki Rahein'\_ Advertisements are periodically up in Metro Delhi; inside panels of Monorail, Mumbai; LCDLED panels at Railway Stations; Audio announcement at Bus Stations; Audio-video spots etc. Jaye put Train;

An Inter-generational walkathon is organized on ]" October every year to celebrate International Apart from State Governments also take measures in awareness generation and inter-generational bonding: promoting Day this,

(c) & (d): The Government has introduced The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019' in the Parliament: In the Bill 10,000/ as maintenance allowance as given in the Act; has been removed. Provisions for also been incorporated in the Bill and priority in disposal of petitions of and have citizens of 80 years and above have also been made. parents senior ceiling existing