Lok Sabha Question No. 2226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-14
Subject: Social Security for Growing Elderly Population
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2023

## SOCIAL SECURITY FOR GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION

## 2226. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

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

- (a) whether elderly population 60 and above is projected to touch 194 million in 2031 from 138 million in 2021, i.e. 41 per cent increase over a decade, if so, the details thereof; aged
- (b) whether by 2041, people over the age of 60 would make up 8.6 per cent of the country' $ population this would go 239.4 million against 104.2 million in 2011; and
- (c) the proposal of the Government to confirm social security in addition to healthcare costs, lack of financial support and seclusion and finally the dignity of care deserve thereof? they

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A NARAYANASWAMY)

- (a) (6): As per Census   Report-2011, population of  senior  citizens is 103.8 million. Population   Projections (2011-2036) for  India  and  States, released in July 2020, states that population of senior citizens is projected to be 137.5 million in 2021 and 193.4 million in 2031, catering to 10.1% and 13.1% respectively of the total population of the country. In 2036, population of senior citizens is projected to be 227 million 14.9% of the total population of India: i.e.,
- (c): Government of India   implements   various   schemes and programmes, through different Ministries and Departments for wholesome care and welfare of senior citizens. These include given at Annexure:

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## Population]

## (c)   Schemes/Programmes run   by various Ministries/Departments of Government of India for welfare of Senior Citizens: being

## Ministryof Social Justiceand Empowerment:

## 1. Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC):

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) under which grants in aid are given for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes (Old Age Homes)/ Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units etc: to the Implementing Agencies   (IAs) as State Governments Union   Territory Administrations   (through Registered Societies)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) Local bodies; Non-Governmental /Voluntary Organizations

## 2. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY):

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is a Central Sector Scheme funded from Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund: Under the Scheme of RVY, aids and assistive devices are provided to senior citizens belonging to BPL category or those senior citizens who earn less than 15000/- per month and suffer from age related disabilities such as low vision; hearing impairment; loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities: The aids and assistive devices viz walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles are provided to eligible beneficiaries, free of cost; The Scheme is being implemented by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) which is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; living

## 3 National Helpline for Senior Citizen (14567)- Elderline:

The Ministry has set up the National Helpline for Senior Citizen for senior citizen to address the grievance of the elders The helpline has been launched across the country and has been dedicated to the Nation by the Hon'ble Vice President of India on the occasion ofthe International for Older Persons i.e: on 01st October, 2021. The Elder line offers services to the senior citizens through toll free number 14567 . Day

## 4. State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC):

Appreciating the critical and significant role of States/UTs, each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens: This

State Action Plan may comprise a long-term strategy for five years as well as Annual Action Plans Department of Social Justice and Empowerment shall release funds to the States/UTs for formulation and implementation of their State Action Plans:

## 5. SAGE:

To promote out-of-the-box and innovative solutions for the commonly faced   problems, innovative   start-ups will be identified and   encouraged for developing products, processes and services for the welfare of the elderly under this initiative The   selected start-ups/start-up ideas can support of up to Rs.1 crore per project while ensuring that the total Government equity in the  start-up should not exceed 49%. For   this, the SAGE   portal (http LLsage dosiegovin) has been launched on 04/06/2021.

- 6\_ Under Umbrella Scheme of Atal   Vayo   Abhyuday Yojana,  Ministry has included awareness   generation/sensitization programmes with   school/college information and educational material to individuals, families and groups for better understanding of the ageing process so as to enable them to handle issues relating to it

## Department ofRural Development;

## 7. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS):

National   Social Assistance   Programme (NSAP} a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Rural  Development; is a social security/social welfare programme  applicable to old 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: Scheme is implemented by the  States/UTs: Identification of beneficiaries, sanction and disbursement of benefit under the schemes is done the States/UTs: aged, by

## Department ofFood and Public Distribution

## 8. Annapurna Scheme:

Department of Food and Public Distribution allocates food grains as per requirements   projected by the   Ministry of Rural  Development under the senior  citizens, who are pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS); are provided 10 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost

## 9\_ Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY);

Department of Food and Public Distribution implements Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), under which rice and wheat at a highly subsidised cost;, is extended to households, headed by widows/terminally ill /disabled persons/senior citizens, with no assured means  of maintenance or  societal support:

## Ministry ofFinance:

## 10. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana' (PMVVY) protects senior citizens against future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market condition and also provides social security during old age. The scheme is being implemented through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India: The scheme provides an assured return payable monthly for 10 years  Loan facility is available after completion of 03 policy years

## 11. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):

The Scheme of PMSBY is available to people in the age group of 18-70 years with a bank or post office account and give consent to join/enable autodebit The risk coverage under the Scheme is for Rs. 2 lakhs in case of accidental death or total   permanent   disability and Rs: 1 lakh for partial  permanent disability:

## 12. Atal Pension Yojana (APY):

The scheme aims to help unorganized sector workers save money as earn and provide guaranteed return post-retirement: Under this Scheme, fixed if the subscriber joins and contributes between the age of 18 and 40 years The contribution levels increase if the subscriber joins late: they

## 13. Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY):

Under the Scheme the subscribers on payment of a lump sum amount get pension at a guaranteed rate per annum (payable monthly) gap in the guaranteed return over the return   generated  by the LIC on the fund is compensated by Government of India by way of subsidy payment in the scheme The scheme allows withdrawals of deposit amount by the annuitant after fifteen years   of purchase of the policy: administered  through Life Insurance Corporation of India: Any

## 14. Rebate in Income Tax for senior citizens:

Income Tax exemption for senior citizens 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 on expenditure on account of specified diseases has also been increased (u/s 80DDB of the Income Tax Act; 1961). To incentivize younger generation to look after medical needs of their parents, LT: Act (u/s 80D) provides for a deduction to keep 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; Income-Tax Act (u/s 207) exempts individual senior citizen from payment of advance tax who does not have any income chargeable under the head 'Profits and gains of business or profession'.

## 15. Exemption in Service Tax:

Under the Service Tax law, activities relating to advancement of education programmes or skill  development relating to persons over 65 years of age, residing in a rural area, are exempt from Service Tax

## 16. Higher rate of Interest:

With respect to senior citizens having Savings Account in Banks and Post Offices, higher interest rates is given to such senior citizens

## 17. Door-step Banking:

As per the directions of the Reserve Bank of India, all banks are to provide separate basic banking facilities such as door-step banking including withdrawal of cash, pick up of cash  delivery for Demand   Drafts, submission of KYC document and life certificates at the residence of customers who are senior citizens and individuals with disabilities:

## 18. Scheme for Reverse Mortgage:

Under the Scheme, senior citizens can mortgage their property with Bank and can get 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:

## 19. Health Insurance for Senior Citizens:

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, reasons to be recorded for denial of any proposals etc on all health insurance products catering to the needs of senior citizens. Further, Insurance companies cannot renewability without specific reasons: deny

## Departmentof Pension & Pensioners'\_Welfare

## 20. Pension for Central Govt employees:

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 Culture:

## 21. Scheme for Financial Assistance to Veteran Artists:

Ministry of Culture provides assistance of Rs. 6,000/- as monthly allowance to artistes 60 years and above; and Rs. 5,999 /- per month in case of transfer of financial assistance to spouse on the death of initial beneficiary: aged

## Ministry ofHome Affairs

## Advisory for safety & security of senior citizens:

The Ministry of Home Affairs issues Advisories from time-to-time to all States and security of citizens: This includes elimination of all forms of neglect; abuse and violence against senior citizens through initiatives such as identification of senior citizens, sensitization of police personnel regarding safety, security of older persons, regular visit of the beat staff; setting up of toll free senior citizen helpline; setting up of senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps, drivers etc Two detailed advisories have been issued dated 27-3-2008 and 30-8-2013 to all States Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate measures to ensure safety and security of senior citizens:

## Department ofEmpowerment ofPersons with Disabilities

## 23. Accessible India Campaign:

Accessible India Campaign includes creation of elder friendly barrier buildings, public toilets, buses, bus-stands, airports and other public places in order to create age-friendly cities

## Ministry ofRailways:

## 24. Separate reservation counters; wheelchairs for senior citizens:

counters are earmarked at various   Passengers Reservation System  (PRS) centres  for dealing with the reservation requisitions received interalia from senior citizens. There is a provision for reservation of lower berths to senior citizens  Railways also provide wheel chairs   facilities/free of cost 'Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged passengers' at Railway Stations:

## Ministry ofHealth and Family Welfare:

## 25. National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE):

Under NPHCE, dedicated healthcare services are being provided to senior citizens at various level of State Health Care delivery system ie- at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health care including outreach services The Programme has two   components, namely National Health Mission   (NHM) and   Tertiary Component;

## 26. Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY):

Government launched Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY 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. With the launch of the PMJAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) have been subsumed in it All enrolled beneficiary families of RSBY and SCHIS are entitled for benefits under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY:

## Ministry of Communications:

## 27 . Concessions extended by BSNL & MTNL:

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) exempts senior citizens (65 years & above) 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 services/rental  charges for Landline connections under Plan-250 in Senior Citizens Category, to Senior Citizens who are more than 65 years ofage.

## Ministry of Civil Aviation:

## 28. Concession & facilities at Airports:

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: Further, Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed all stakeholders at Airports to ensure provision for free of automated buggies for all senior citizens, in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding gates located beyond reasonable walking distance; and to provide small trolleys after security check for carriage of hand baggage upto the boarding\_ charge gate

## Ministry ofHousingand Urban Affairs:

## 29. Creation of elder friendly barrier free environment:

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has   prescribed Harmonised Guidelines  and Space Standards for creation of  elder friendly barrier  free environment with reference to buildings, toilets etc. for Urban Local Bodies to implement; These Guidelines intend to address the needs of persons with disabilities and elderly persons Procurement of low-floor buses with proper spaces for wheel chair has also been metro rail   projects   implemented/under   implementation in are having disabled and elder friendly infrastructure such as proper ramps/lifts to the stations, level boarding for the alighting passengers etc: There is also a provision   for reservation of seats in metro   rail coaches for senior  citizens, differently-abled persons and ladies Further; Housing for All Mission Guidelines, circulated to State/UTs to meet the demand of housing in their States/UTs, incorporated that-'while  making the allotment;  families with senior  citizens should be given priority for allotment on ground floor or lower floors'.

## Ministry ofWomen and Child Development:

## 30. Home for Widows:

Ministry of Women and Child Development has constructed a Home for Widows t Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, with a capacity of 1000 widows to provide them safe and secure place to stay along with health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services etc The design of the Home is old age friendly with facilities such as ramps, lifts, supply of adequate electricity, water and other special challenges

## Ministryof AYUSH:

## Yoga Therapy:

Ministry of AYUSH has been providing free consultation and yoga therapy under Yoga Naturopathy. OPDs are being provided in various Government Hospitals Free Yoga training at 50 Parks are being run through NGOs in various states of the country. In addition, other programmes such as Health Promotion  Programme, Yoga Therapy Programmes, Individual  Yoga Therapy Sessions, Weekend Yoga Training Programmes, Monthly Clinical Yoga Therapy Workshop are being imparted, which benefits senior citizens as well and Yoga