Lok Sabha Question No. 186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Empowerment of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 186 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## EMPOWERMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

186. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- a) the measures taken/to be taken by the Government to tackle the various problems that a people have to experience viz  decline in health conditions   retirement, financial problems; loneliness and dependence upon others considering the fact that the numnber of elderly in India is expected to grow to 173 million by 2026, which is roughly: 18 crore by the next seven years; and aged
2. (b) the measures and policies implemented by the Government to alleviate the problems of the which includes, improving the economic and social welfare, improving the health conditions, improving their participation in activities and functions etc.? aged people.

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): A statement is laid out at Annexure A:

## MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA FOR THE WELFARE QF SENQR CITIZENS

## Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment;

Government of India, through Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; announced the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in January 1999 to reaffirm the commitment to ensure the The  Policy envisaged State   support  to ensure financial and food security. health care, shelter and other needs f older persons, equitable share in development,   protection   against abuse and   exploitation, and  availability of   services to improve the quality of their lives The primary objectives were to encourage individuals to make provision for their own as well as their spouse's old age; to encourage families to take care of their older family members; to enable and support voluntary and non-governmental organizations to supplement the care provided by the family: to provide care and protection to the vulnerable elderly people; to provide adequate healthcare facility to the elderly; to promote research and training facilities to train geriatric care givers and organizers of services for the elderly; and to create awareness regarding elderly persons to help them lead productive and independent live.

2 The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act; 2007 was enacted in December 2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare. The Act provides for Maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made  obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals, Revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of neglect by relatives, Penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens, Establishment of Old Age Homes for  Indigent Senior Citizens, Adequate  medical facilities and security for Senior Citizens.

3\_ In order to make the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) more contemporary to the needs of senior citizens at amendments, such as, adoption of  uniform age criteria to define a senior citizens registration and  prescribing minimum standards of service, infrastructure, manpower etc. in Senior Citizens Care Homes/Multi-service Care  Centres,  rating of agencies providing Homecare services to senior citizens etc. have been proposed The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Day

4\_ The   National Action Plan for the Welfare of   Senior is an umbrella   scheme, effective   since April 2020, together articulation of each of the current schemes   future plans   strategies and targets and maps it with schemes/programmes accountabilities, financials and clear outcomes. It includes four sub-schemes under it, namely: brings

- Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Setting up of Homes to improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter; food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing:

- State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): The Government of India perceives a major and critical role of all State Governments in partnering and implementing this Action Plan for Each strategize into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens. taking
- Convergence with  Initiatives of other Ministries/Departments  in Government of India in the field of Senior Citizens Welfare (CWMSrC): The NAPSrC has identified initiatives to be taken by different Departments for the benefit of senior citizens These initiatives would be collated, department-wise and communicated to them for proposing Annual Action Plans in collaboration with this department
- Media,  advocacy, capacity   building, research and  study, pilots and any other project aimed towards the welfare of the senior citizens and under the scope and coverage of the NAPSrC through NISD (NISDSrC): National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) an autonomous body of this Department; is expected to be the resource centre on senior citizens in the country. It will be equipped to implement directly any project in furtherance of the objectives of the NAPSrC. falling

5\_ Further, this   Ministry has   launched the Rashtriya Vayoshri   Yojana (RVY)' on 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 living devices which can restore near normaley in their bodily functions Under the Scheme, assisted devices such as hearing aids,   wheelchairs,  artificial dentures belonging to BPL category as low vision, hearing impairment; loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f: F.Y. 2020-21. Under the revised Scheme, the criteria of selection of beneficiaries have been extended to include not only those senior citizens belonging to BPL category but also senior citizens with monthly income not more than Rs. 15000/- and who suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities as mentioned above. The Scheme is implemented by the Artificial Limbs   Manufacturing   Corporation a Public Sector   Undertaking under this Ministry. The devices are distributed in the camp mode t0 the identified beneficiaries. The Scheme is funded from Senior Citizens Welfare Fund (SCWF): living being being

6\_ In  pursuance of the Budget Announcement; 2015-16, a "Senior Citizens" Welfare Fund" has been created to be utilized for such schemes  for promoting financial security of senior citizens, healthcare and nutrition of senior citizens, welfare of elderly widows, schemes relating to Old Homes, Short Stay Homes and Care of senior citizens etc. 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 declared as inoperative account: Age Day Saving being

7 . 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 Policy 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 aged.

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 Chairperson of the Council.

8\_ In order to recognize the efforts made by eminent Senior Citizens and 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 October; 2005, giving Vayoshreshtha  Samman in recognition to their contribution to the society. Further; in order to showcase the Government' s 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 2013, on 1st October; on the occasion of International of Older Persons (IDOP): On st October every year; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment also organizes Health Inter-generational walkathons etc. in different States with active participation of Senior Citizens, Youth; Celebrities and Media-persons etc. 1St Day during Day Camps;

## Ministry of Rural Development:

9 National  Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Rural Development: NSAP is a 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 Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) to persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. Central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to the persons of 6079 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. A lakh is the targeted beneficiaries under IGNOAPS. The Scheme is implemented in all States/ UTs in rural as well as urban areas. Age aged

## Department of Food and Public Distribution

10 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. It also implements Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), under which rice and wheat at a extended to households; with no assured means  of maintenance or societal support:

## Ministry of Finance:

11. Ministry of Finance has launched a scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) to provide social security during old age and to protect elderly persons 60 and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions. The Scheme enables old age income security for senior citizens through provision of assured pension/ return   linked to the   subscription  amount based on Government  guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). aged

st March 2023 and offers an assured rate of return of 7.40% per annum for the year 2020-21 for policy duration of 10 years: In subsequent years; while the Scheme is in operation full month 2023, there will be annual reset of assured rate of return with effect from April 1St of the financial year in line with applicable rate of return of Senior Citizens Saving Scheme (SCSS) upto a ceiling of 7.75% with fresh appraisal of the scheme on breach of this threshold at any point.

The  differential return, i.e. the difference between return   generated by LIC and the assured returns would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.  Pension is at the end of each period during the policy tenure of 10 years as per the frequency of monthly/ quarterly/ half-yearly as chosen by the subscriber at the time of purchase. Minimum month and the maximum purchase price is Rs. 15 lakh per senior citizen for getting a pension amount of Rs. 9,250/-. payable

The Scheme is being implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) A total number of 5,83,208 subscribers are benefitted under the scheme as on December; 2020. being

## Department of\_Pension & Pensioners Welfare

12. 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

## Ministry of Home Affairs

13. 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 identification sensitization of police toll free senior citizen helpline; up of senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps, drivers etc. as setting

## Ministry of Railways:

- 14 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 MailExpress/Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan   Shatbdi/Duronto group of trains: concession is 40% for men and 50% for women.
- 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. Accommodation is also earmarked for Senior Citizens   during   specified hours on suburban sections by Central and Western Railways.
- Separate   counters are   earmarked at various Passengers Reservation System ( PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from Physically persons with MLAs  accredited journalists and freedom fighters, if the average demand per shift not less than 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:
- iv. To help old and disabled passengers requiring assistance at the stations and to strengthen the existing services 'Yatri Mitra Sewa' is provided through IRCTC at major stations for enabling passengers to book wheelchair services cum porter services etc. being

## Ministry of Health and Family\_Welfare:

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 The Programme 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 pool of NHM which are as follows: (!) Geriatric OPD and 10 bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals; (2) Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres (CHCs), (3) Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs). and (4) Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres The programme is implemented on the basis   of Programme   Implementation Plan (PIP) submitted by the States/UTs and viability under the provisions of NPHCE. being 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 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 (1) Geriatric OPD, 30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care RGCs and 200 bedded Geriatric ward NCAs, (2) 02 PG seats per RGC and 15 PG seats per NCA in Geriatric Medicine; and (3) Research activities, Imparting Training and Development of training material.

16. The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Project was launched in 2016 to assess the health; economic and social status of the elderly (age 45-60). 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. being

17. 2018-19, Government   approved the launch of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, providing coverage upto Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. With the launch of the PMJAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) will be subsumed in it. AIl enrolled beneficiary families of RSBY and SCHIS are entitled for benefits under PMJAY. During

## Ministry of Communications:

18. 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. Further; Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd: (MTNL) provides concession of 25% in installation/activation charges and monthly serviceshrental charges for Landline connections under Plan-250 to Senior Citizens above 65 of age. years

## Ministry of Civik Aviation:

19. passengers with disability; first time travellers ete- Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed all the stakeholders to ensure that the following requirements are complied:

- 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
- 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.
- Airport operators shall provide small trolleys after security check for carriage of hand baggage (permitted as per regulation) up to the boarding gate.
- 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:

20. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Urban Development issued the Model Building Bye Laws, 2016 (MBBL) prescribing 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. Further; 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. All metro rail projects implemented/under implementation in the country are disabled and elder friendly infrastructure such as proper ramps/lifts to the stations There is a provision for reservation of seats in metro rail coaches for differentlyabled  persons and senior citizens: AII Mission/Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Guidelines have been circulated to State/UTs to meet the demand of housing in their while making the allotment; families with senior citizens should be given priority for allotment on ground floor or lower floors' . has having

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has constructed a 1000 bedded Old friendly Home for Widows,  named Krishna Kutir, at Sunrakh Bangar;  Vrindavan, Distt. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh to provide them safe and secure place to stay; health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services. The Home consists of a 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 challenges. The Home is operational W.e.f: 01.09.2018 and managed by Govt: of Uttar Pradesh: Age special

## Ministry of AYUSH:

22. Ministry of AYUSH provides free consultation, yoga therapy and yoga training under and Naturopathy and runs OPDs in various Government Hospital across the country. Yoga

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