Lok Sabha Question No. 137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-11
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Senior Citizens and Divyangs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +137 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2018

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DIVYANGS

## +137. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

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

- (a) the facilities provided by the public and private  sector to the senior citizens and divyangs in the country at present; being
- (b) the norms laid down by the Government to set up facilities and provide quality services to the senior citizens by the private sector; and
- (c) the welfare schemes implemented by the Government for the upliftment of elderly persons, divyangs and backward classes? being

## ANSWER

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

(a): This information on services provided by public and private sector is not maintained in this Department:

(6): No norms have been laid down by the Department in this respect.

- (c): Welfare Schemes being implemented by the Government to senior citizens, divyangs and backward classes are annexed at Annexure-Aj

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[Annexure referred to part (a) &(c) of reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 137 due for reply on 11.12.2018]

## Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:

- The Ministry of Social Justice  and  Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely "Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)" {previously known as "Integrated Programme  for Older Persons (IPOP)" } under  which grants in aid are given   for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes (Old Homes)/Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units etc to the Implementing Agencies such as State Governments /Union Territory Administrations (through Registered Societies) Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) Local bodies; Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organizations. Under the Scheme grant is released after the receipt of Utilization Certificate of previous Age grant:
- 2 Further; this   Ministry  has launched the   'Rashtriya Vayoshri   Yojana (RVY)' on 1st April, 2017 with an objective to provide senior citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions. Under the Scheme, assisted devices   such as walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/ crutches, tripods/ quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures, spectacles are provided free of cost to the identified beneficiary senior citizens. The Scheme is implemented by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)" a Public Sector Undertaking under this Ministry. The devices are distributed in the camp mode to the identified beneficiaries. The Scheme is being Welfare Fund (SCWF) living living being
3. In pursuance of the Budget Announcement; 2015-16, a "Senior Citizens' Welfare senior citizens, healthcare and nutrition of senior citizens, welfare of elderly widows, schemes relating to Old Age Homes; Short Stay Homes and for the promotion of the welfare of senior citizens  The Fund comprises of the unclaimed amounts transferred by every institution holding such fund in the Schemes including Small Savings and other Schemes of the Central Government such as Post Office Savings Accounts, Post Office Recurring Deposits Accounts etc , Accounts of Public Provident Funds and Accounts of Employees Provident Fund, that remain unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of the account being declared as inoperative account: Day Saving
- 4 The Fund is administered by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, comprising of Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development; Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and Ministry of Labour and Employment; with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as the Nodal Ministry for administration of the Fund.
- In pursuance of the National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP); a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted in 1999 to oversee implementation of the and to advise the Government in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes for the The National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) has been reconstituted and renamed as National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC) in 2012 The mandate of NCSrC is to advise Central and State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life. The Hon'ble Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment is the Policy aged.
- Chairperson of the Council.
- 6 In order to recognize the efforts Institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons; especially indigent senior citizens, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started celebrating International of Older Persons (IDOP); since 1st October; 2005, giving Vayoshreshtha Samman in recognition to their contribution to the society. Further; in order to showcase the Government'$ concern for senior citizens and its commitment  towards senior citizens with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society, the Vayoshrestha Samman was upgraded to National Award and the Scheme of National Awards for Senior Citizens was notified in the Gazette of India on 22.01.2013. The Awards are given under thirteen categories. The National Awards were presented for the first time during 2013, on of International of Older Persons (IDOP) On 1st October every year, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment also organizes Health Camps, Inter-generational walkathons etc. in different States with active participation of Senior Citizens, Youth, Celebrities and Media-persons etc . Day Day
- 7 Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs: The aim of this Scheme is to motivate children of OBCs studying at Pre-Matric stage. Scholarships are awarded to students belonging to OBCs whose parents' / guardian '$ income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2,50,000/- per annum: The Scheme is a  Funds-Limited" Scheme. The scholarship is available in such institutions and for such pre-matriculation courses, which have been duly recognized the concerned State Government and Union Territory Administration. Under the scheme, 5O% Central Assistance is provided to the State Governments, while in case of UTs 100% central assistance is provided, subject to availability of the Budget under the scheme. The scheme has been revised from the current year i.e. 2017-18. Following modifications have been made:by
- Parental   annual  income  ceiling for eligibility has been  revised  from
- 2,50,000/ p.a:
- For scholars day
- Rates will be Rs. 100/- p.m. for 10 months for class [ to X
- For Hostellers Rates will be Rs.
- 500/- p.m. for 10 months for class III to X.
- 8 Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students

The Scheme is intended to promote higher education by providing financial support to OBC students studying at post-Matric/post-secondary levels leading to their earning Ph.D. degrees.

The scholarships are awarded through the State Government/UT Administration to which the applicant belongs for study in recognized institutions The Scheme is a "Funds-Limited" Scheme. Under the Scheme, central  assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations based on Notional Allocation to states. At present, the parental income ceiling for eligibility under the Scheme is Rs.1.50 Iakh per annum

## 9 SDr. Ambedkar  Scheme of Interest  Subsidy on   Educational Loan for Overseas

- Studies for OBCs/EBCs"

The Scheme was launched in 2014-15. It has been revised in 2017-18 The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious OBC and EBC students so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education abroad and enhance their employability. To be eligible under the scheme, a student should come under the income ceiling of present Creamy Layer criteria for OBCs and for EBCs it is Rs 2.50 lakh per annum. 50 % of the outlay every year is earmarked   for Girl  students. The   students   should have  secured  admission in the approved courses at Masters, M.Phil or He/She  should have availed loan from a scheduled bank under the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the purpose. Under the scheme, interest payable by the students availing the education loans of the IBA for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India. After the period of moratorium is over; the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be by the   student; in accordance with the existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time. The candidate will bear the Principal  instalments  and  interest beyond moratorium   period. The Canara Bank has been nominated as Nodal Bank under the Scheme. plus paid

## 10.

## National Fellowship for OBCs

The scheme aims at providing financial  assistance to the OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as MPhil and Ph.D in universities, research institutions and  scientific institutions. The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 300 Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) per year from the year 2014-15 onwards and 600 Senior Research Fellowships (SRFs) from 2015-16 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students  The UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme and notifies the scheme through advertisements in the media at a suitable date. The scheme covers all universitieslinstitutions recognized by the UGC. Fellowships are awarded to research students pursuing M. Phil. and PhD. The rate of fellowship for JRF level is Rs. 25000 per month and for SRF level, it is Rs. 28000 per month: An to M.Phil /Ph.D\_ course in a University or academic institution  after completing the required formalities of admission, is eligible for the award of Fellowship subject to provisions of the scheme as per the advertisement of UGC. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period

## 11. Construction of Hostels for OBC and Girls Boys

The Scheme of Construction of Hostels for OBC and Girls has been revised W.ef. 2017-18. The Scheme aims at providing hostel  facilities to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes, especially from rural areas to enable them to pursue secondary and higher education: The important provisions under the scheme after the revision are as follows: Boys

The cost per hostel seat in different areas are as follows:-

- North Eastern Region Rs.3.50 lakh per seat

- b. Himalayan Regions Rs.3.25 lakh per seat

- C. Rest of country

- Rs.3.00 lakh per seat

Or as per the schedule of the rates for the concerned State Government; whichever is lower:

Modification in the revised Scheme We.f: 2017-18 is as under:

- Private institutionsINGOs have been discontinued for central assistance under the scheme.
- 90% of cost of construction is provided as central assistance for proposals for NE Region
- 90%/ of cost of construction is provided as central assistance for proposals for 03 Himalyan States (J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand)

## 12 Assistance for Skill Development of OBCs/DNTs/EBCs"

The aim of the scheme is to involve the voluntary sector and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) to improve educational and socio- economic conditions of the target group i.e OBCs/DNTs/EBCs, with a view to upgrade their skill to enable them to start income generating activities on their own or get gainfully employed in some sector or the other: The Government of India meets 90% of the approved expenditure of the training programme. The scheme has been revised in 2017-18 with focus on skill   development. Moreover, the scheme has been made completely online from 2014-15. Further, the National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) implements various soft loan schemes and skill development programmes for the OBCs in the country:

## Ministry of Rural Development:

13. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Rural Development: NSAP is & social security/social welfare programme applicable to old aged, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on death of primary bread winner;, belonging to below poverty line household: Old age pension is provided under Indira Gandhi

National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) to the persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. Central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to the persons of 60-79 years of age and Rs. 500/- per month to the persons of age of 80 years or more. This Scheme is implemented by the States/UTs   Identification of beneficiaries, sanction and disbursement of benefit under the schemes is done by the States/UTs.

14. Top-up details as given by State Governments/UT Administrations:

| S,No.   | per person per month Top-up   | States/UTs                                    |
|---------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 1       | No top-up                     |                                               |
|         | Top-up of Rs50-               | Meghalaya,Mizoram                             |
| 3       | Top-up_of Rs. 75/-            | Madhya Pradesh                                |
|         | Top-up_of Rs 100/             | Chhattisgarh,_Odisha_Uttar Pradesh            |
| 5       | Top-up_of Rs 200/             | Assam, Gujarat,Jammu & Kashmir                |
| 6       | Top-up_of Rs 250/             | Kerala,_Punjab,_West Bengal                   |
| 7       | Top-up_of Rs.300/             | Rajasthan,_Tripura,_Karnataka                 |
| 8_      | Top-up_of Rs400/              | Bihar; Maharashtra,Sikkim                     |
| 9       | Top-up_of Rs 600/             | Uttarakhand                                   |
| 10      | Top-up of Rs. 800/            | Haveli,_Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep              |
| 11.     |                               | Chandigarh_Delhi,_Himachal Pradesh,_Telangana |
| 12      | of Rs. 1200/ Top-up           | Haryana                                       |
| 13      | Top-up_of Rs_18007            | Goa,Puducherry                                |

## Department of Food and Public Distribution

15. Department of Food and Public Distribution  allocates food grains as per requirements projected by the Ministry of Rural Development under the Annapurna Scheme, wherein indigent Senior Citizens, who are not getting pension under IGNOAPS, are provided 10 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost:

16. Department of Food and Public   Distribution   implements   Antyodaya Anna Yojana is extended to households, headed by widows/terminally illdisabled  personslsenior citizens, with no assured maintenance or societal support.

## Ministry of Finance:

17. Ministry of Finance has launched a scheme namely *Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana' (PMVVY) to protect elderly persons 60 and above against a future fall in their interest income due to the uncertain market condition, as also to provide social security during old age. The scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India: The scheme provides an assured return of &% per annum payable monthly for 10 years. The differential return i.e. the difference between return generated by LIC and the assured return aged years being

of annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on  annual basis. The scheme was open for subscription for a of one year i.e. from 4th 2017 to 3rd 2018. The minimum purchase under the scheme was Rs. 1.5 lakh per family for a minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month and g%per period May May price the maximum purchase was Rs. 7.5 lakh per family for a maximum pension of Rs. 5,000/per month: price

18. In pursuance to Budget Announcement 2018-19, Cabinet at its Meeting held on st 2018 has approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Vandana Yojana up to 31 March 2020 and limit of maximum purchase of Rs. 7.5 lakh per family under the scheme has also been   enhanced to Rs. 15 lakh per senior citizen: A consisting corpus of Rs. 17,704.65 crore are benefited under PMVVY as on 30.06.2018 2nd May; Yaya price being

- 19 Further, Ministry of Finance provides Income Tax Rebate to Senior Citizens Income Tax exemption for Senior Citizens of 60 years and above age is upto Rs. 3 lakhs and only 5% is levied on income between 3 lakhs and 5 lakhs. Senior citizens above 80 years and above age are exempted from paying income tax upto Rs. 5 lakhs. Deduction in case of every senior citizens uls 8ODDB of the Income Tax Act on expenditure on account of specified diseases has been increased. To incentivize younger generation to look after medical needs of their parents; section 8OD of .T. Act provides for a deduction to in force insurance on the health of the parents or parents of the assesse. A similar deduction is also available to a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) in respect of health insurance premia, to effect or to keep in force insurance on the health of any member of the HUF. Further; the existing provisions of section 207 of the Income-Tax Act; 1961 exempts  individual resident senior citizens (60+ years) at any time the previous year; from payment of advance tax who does not have any income chargeable under the head Profits and of business Or profession keep during gains
20. Under the Service Tax law, activities relating to advancement of education programmes or skill entity registered under Section I2AA of the Income Tax Act; 1961 are exempt from Service Tax: With respect to senior citizens having Savings Account in Banks and Post Offices, higher interest rates is given to the senior citizens.

## 21. Scheme for Reverse Mortgage:

The Scheme was launched in 2007. Under the Scheme, senior citizens can mortgage their property with Bank and can a maximum  loan amount up to 60% of the value of the residential property. The maximum tenure of the mortgage is 15 years and minimum is 10 years. Some banks are nOw also offering a maximum tenure of 20 years: get

- Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) under the Ministry of Finance, vide letter dated 25.5.2009 issued instructions on health insurance for senior citizens to CEOs of all General Health Insurance Companies which, inter-alia; includes:
- Allowing entry into health insurance scheme till 65 years of age,
- Transparency in the premium charged
- Likewise the   insurance   companies cannot renewability without  specific reasons deny
- Reasons to be recorded for denial of any proposals etc. on all health insurance products catering to the needs of senior citizens.

## Ministry of Textiles

- 23 Ministry of Textiles has a Scheme under which a monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3,500/- per month is given to such handicrafts awardee artisans who are above 60 years of age and have an annual income of less than Rs. 50,000/-

## Department of\_Pension & Pensioners Welfare

24. Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare monitors and ensures that the retiring Central Government employees are granted retirement benefits including pension, so that can live an active and dignified life after retirement: they
25. This Department administers CCS (pension) Rules, 1972 and CCS (Extraordinary Pension Rules), 1939 which are applicable to Central Government Civil Employees only: In case of a Central Government Servant retiring in accordance with the various provision of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, he is entitled to a pension which is usually 50 % of the last pay drawn: After completion of 80 years of age or above, additional pension 20-100 per cent under Rule-49 (2A) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 is payable to him. The Central Civilian Government Employees who disabled are entitled for an Award (either   Disability Pension or Lump Sum Compensation) as per the provision of CCS (Extraordinary Pension Rules), 1939, if the disability is attributable to Government Service. get

## Ministry of Home Affairs

- 26 . The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two detailed advisories dated 27-3-2008 and 30-8-2013 to all States Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate measures to 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 safety, security of older persons, visit of the beat staff; up of toll free senior citizen helpline; setting up of senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps; drivers etc\_ setting regular

## Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

27. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Accessible India Campaign   (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) in 2015 as a nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) aims to enable persons with disabilities to universal access, equal opportunity for development; independent gain

and participation in an inclusive society in all aspects of life. This includes creation of elder friendly barrier free environment in buildings, public toilets, buses, bus-stands, airports and other public places to create age-friendly cities. living

28. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely, Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which grantin-aid is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for their projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal-physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.

29 Under Assistance to Disabled Persons for   Purchase/Fitting of Aids and  Appliances (ADIP) Scheme, the funds are released to various Implementing Agencies to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their   physical, social and   psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential:

## Ministry of Railways:

30. Indian Railways have taken various measures for Welfare of senior citizens, some of which are under:

- As per rules, male Senior Citizens of minimum 60 years and lady Senior Citizens of minimum 58 years are granted concession in the fares of all classes of Mail/Express/Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatbdi/Duronto group of trains\_ The   element of concession is 40% for men and 50% for women.

No of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. However; are required to carry some documentary as prescribed showing their age or date of birth and have to produce it if demanded by on-board ticket checking staff: Senior Citizens can book reserve tickets across the reservation counters as well as through internet: proof they proof

- (ii) In the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS), there is a provision to allot lower berths to Senior Citizens, Female passengers of 45 years and above automatically, even if no choice is given, subject to availability of accommodation at the time of booking:
- (iii) In all trains having reserved sleeping accommodation, & combined quota of six (6) lower berths per coach in Sleeper class and three (3) lower berths per coach each in AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier classes has been earmarked for Senior Citizens, Female passengers of 45 years of age above and pregnant women. In case of Rajdhani; Duronto and fully Air Conditioned/Express trains, the number of berths to be earmarked under this quota in 3 AC is 4 (four) lower berths per coach as against 3 (three) lower berths per coach in normal Mail/Express trains:
- (iv) Accommodation is also earmarked for Senior Citizens specified hours on suburban sections by Central and Western Railways. during

- Instructions exist for provision of wheel chairs at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice.  Moreover, Zonal Railways have also been advised to provide free of cost 'Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged passengers at Railway Stations. In addition, passenger can book e-wheel chairs online through IRCTC portal WwW irctc coin:
- (vi) To help old and disabled passengers requiring assistance at the stations and to strengthen the existing services, 'Yatri Mitra Sewa is being provided through IRCTC at major stations for enabling passengers to book wheelchair services cum porter services etc.
- (vii) After departure of the train; if there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any physically person with disability booked on the authority of handicapped concession or a  senior citizen or a pregnant woman; who has been allotted  upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the on-board Ticket Checking Staff has been authorised to allot the vacant lower berth to them making necessary entries in the chart.
- (viii) Separate counters are earmarked at various   Passengers Reservation   System  (PRS) centres   for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from  Physically persons with disability,  Senior Citizens, ex-MPS, MLAs   accredited   journalists and freedom fighters, if the average demand per shift not less than 120 tickets. In case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including persons with disability or senior citizens, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons

## Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

31. Government of India has been implementing National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) from the F.Y. 2010-11 to provide dedicated healthcare services to the elderly people at various level of state health care delivery system at primary, secondary and tertiary health care including outreach services.
32. National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) has two components with the following provisions to provide health care facilities to the elderly people in the country:
- (1) National Health Mission (NHM) component: The district and below activities of the programme is covered under Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) flexible of NHM which are as follows: pool being
4. Geriatric OPD and 10 bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals.
5. Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres (CHCs).
6. Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs).
7. Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres.

The programme is implemented on the basis of Programme Implementation date, 599 districts of 35 States/UTs have been approved to implement the District and below activities of the Programme: being

(2) Tertiary Component: In addition to NHM component of the programme, to ensure appropriate referral for conditions not amenable to be treated at primary and secondary level to create human resource orientated towards geriatric care, this Ministry is supporting development of" [9 Regional Geriatric Centres (RGCs) with and establishment of 02 National Centres of Ageing each at AIIMS; New Delhi and MMC, Chennai with the following geriatric health care facilities: -

- Geriatric OPD; 30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care RGCs and 200 bedded Geriatric ward NCAs:
- 02 PG seats per RGC and 15 PG seats per NCA in Geriatric Medicine.
- Research activities, Imparting Training and Development of training material.

33. Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Project: The project was launched in 2016 to assess the health, economic and social status of the elderly (age 45-60). This project is going to be one of the largest comprehensive ageing surveys in the world with a sample size of 61,000. LASI  project is conducted by International Institute for Population Sciences, (Deemed University), Mumbai which is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In India, LASI is to be undertaken by IIPS in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health and Rand Corporation with the financial sponsorship from Ministry of Health & Family  Welfare, UNFPA India and National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Ageing (NIA); USA So far an amount of Rs. 29.20 crore has been released under the programme. being

34 Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): The RSBY is a centrally sponsored scheme that was implemented by Ministry of Labour & Employment since 2008, under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act; 2008, to provide health insurance coverage to BPL families and 11 other categories of unorganized workers. The Scheme has been transferred to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in 2015. Each family enrolled in the Scheme is entitled to hospitalization benefits of upto Rs 30,000/- p.a: in Government as well as empanelled private hospitals. Transportation cost of Rs. 100/- per visit is also to the beneficiary family; subject to maximum ceiling of Rs: 1000/- per year: Currently (2018-19), 12 States are implementing RSBY apsid

35. Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS): This Scheme, being implemented since 2016, provides insurance cover to senior citizens as a top-up over the existing RSBY Scheme. This Scheme provides an additional annual coverage of Rs: 30,000/- per senior citizen in the eligible RSBY beneficiary family. SCHIS   provides a health   insurance cover

30,000/- which is available to senior citizens, in additional to the coverage of Rs. 30,000/- under RSBY . If in any RSBY   enrolled   family, there are more   than one   senior citizen, then the additional cover will be in multiple of Rs. 30,000/- per senior citizen. 211 Treatment packages are  covered  under SCHIS, in addition to 1516 packages under RSBY. Currently, 08 States; namely Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat; Karnataka; Kerala; Meghalaya; Nagaland, Tripura and West Bengal are implementing SCHIS. Around 18 lakh families having senior citizen (s) are covered under SCHIS as per available records.

36. Pradhan Mantri Jan   Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): In March 2018, Government has approved the launch of Ayushman Bharat-PMJA Y during 2018-19 to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx: 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage upto Rs: 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. PMJA Y has been launched on enrolled beneficiary families of RSBY and SCHIS are entitled for benefits under PMJAY. 23rd

## Ministry of Communications:

37. Bharat  Sanchar   Nigam  Limited   (BSNL),  under  Ministry of Communications, has reported that Senior Citizens of the age of 65 years and above are exempted from Payment of registration charges for Landline Telephone Connection.
38. Further; Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd: (MTNL), under Ministry of Communications, provides concession of 25% in installation/activation   charges and monthly services/rental charges for Landline connections under Plan-250 in Senior Citizens Category; to Senior Citizens who are more than 65 years of age.

## Ministry of Civil Aviation:

39. In order to facilitate the passengers,  particularly senior citizens,   expectant mothers, passengers with disability, first time travellers etc , Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed all the stakeholders to ensure that the following requirements are complied:
2. Airline /airport operator shall ensure provision of automated buggies free of charge for all senior citizens, in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding located beyond reasonable   walking distance at all   airports   having   annual aircraft movements of 50,000 or more. This facility may be extended to other needy passengers on demand basis free of charge. gates
3. Airport operator shall adequately display information regarding availability of automated buggies and small trolleys in the terminal building at prominent locations including dos and don'ts regarding the same\_ This shall also be published on the website of the airport operator:
4. Airport operators shall provide small trolleys after security check for carriage of hand baggage (permitted as per regulation) up to the boarding gate:

- Further; Air India offers 50% discount to senior citizens on the highest economy class Basic Fare. The discount is offered to those who have completed 60 years of age on the date of commencement of journey.
- Senior citizens can also avail multi-level fares offered by Air India on each sector for travel on domestic sectors, starting from a low level advance purchase fares which facilitate early selling to the highest one

## Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:

40. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Urban Development has issued the Model Building Bye Laws, 2016 (MBBL) which under  chapter 8 prescribes   standards  for creation of elder friendly barrier free environment with reference to buildings, toilets etc. Urban Local Bodies shall implement the Policy by adopting the Model

Building Bye Laws, 2016. The   Department has issued 'Harmonised Guidelines   and  Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for persons with Disability and Elderly Persons' in 2016. These Guidelines intend to address the needs of persons with disabilities and elderly persons with a wide range of accessibility elements and standards and not limited to disabilities

41 Under Urban Bus Specification-II issued in 2013, the emphasis on buses financed by the Department of Urban Development is on procurement of low floor buses with proper ramps for easy access of the passengers and proper space for wheel chair to be placed in the bus for the benefit of disabled persons and senior citizens

42. metro rail  projects   implemented/under   implementation in the   country are having disabled and elder   friendly infrastructure   such as proper ramps/lifts to the   stations, level boarding the alighting of passengers etc. There is a provision of reservation of seats in metro rail coaches for the differently-abled persons and senior citizens.

43. Housing for Mission/Pradhan Mantri Awas   Yojana was approved by the Government of   India on 17th June 2015 and launched on 25th  June, 2015. The Mission Guidelines have been circulated to State/UTs to meet the demand of housing in their States/UTs: In Para 4.8.10 in PMAY-HFA (U) Guidelines, it inter alia, been incorporated that-'while making the allotment; families with senior citizens should be given priority for allotment on ground floor or lower floors' has,

## Ministry of Women and Child Development:

44. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has constructed a Home for Widows at Sunrakh Bangar; Vrindavan, Distt  Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, with a capacity of 1000 widows to provide them safe and secure place to stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services. The new home for widows named as Krishna Kutir is constructed on 1.424 hectare of land: The design of the Home is old age friendly which consists of ground plus three floors with the facilities of ramps, lifts, supply of adequate electricity, water and other amenities for meeting the requirement of senior citizens and persons with special challenges. The Home is fully funded

was inaugurated on 31.8.2018. The Home is operational

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