Lok Sabha Question No. 2348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Schemes for Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar, Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Ms. Bansuri Swaraj

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2348 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## SCHEMES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

## 2348. DR. K SUDHAKAR:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

MS. BANSURI SWARAJ:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Ministry for economic and social empowerment of senior citizens;
- (b) the role of health camps, pension schemes, skill development programmes for elderly workers in enhancing their dignity and the status of health camps, pension schemes and other programs held for elderly;
- (c) the steps taken for the welfare of differently abled people across the country; and
- (d) the role of health camps, pension schemes and skill development programmes in enhancing the dignity of elderly workers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, implements a scheme namely Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) to cater various requirements of the senior citizens. The two major components of the Scheme are:
- i. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)- Grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organizations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes (old age homes), Continuous Care Homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainments are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens.
- ii. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)-The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the scheme component of 'Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)' with the objective to provide to senior citizens, with the monthly income of not more than Rs. 15000/- and suffering from age-related disabilities/infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions. The Scheme is implemented through the 'Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)', (a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the M/oSJE) as the implementing Agency.

(b) & (d): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched the " National Program for Healthcare of the Elderly"(NPHCE) during 2010-11 to address various health related problems of Elderly people. To mark the "International Day of Older Persons", in October, 2024 , a total of 44279 healthcare camps were conducted and healthcare services were provided to 9,15,100 elder persons. Also, Healthcare Camps were conducted in 3904 Old Age Homes across the country and 33049 elderly persons were provided healthcare services during the camps.

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous body of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organises health camps for community senior citizens and also conducts training for the family members on primary care.

Further, the Ministry of Rural Development also implements National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) across the country as a social security programme, primarily meant for vulnerable sections of the society such as old aged, widows, and disabled persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL). NSAP comprises of three pension schemes - old age, widow and disabled pension schemes and two demand based schemes - National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and Annapurna scheme. Under the program, the elderly, widow, persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and meeting eligibility criteria are provided financial assistance ranging from Rs.200/- to Rs.500/- p.m. to persons in the age group of 6079 years and $ 500/- per month to persons of 80 years and above.

(c): To enhance skills of Persons with Disabilities and to enable them to have gainful employment and to become self-reliant, productive and contribute members of society and stand up on their own feet, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities launched the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAPSDP) in March 2015. Under NAP-SDP. Skill training is imparted to persons through various Government and Non-Government Organizations.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePWD) also launched PMDAKSH Portal-DePwD in September 2023 for effective implementation of National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAP-SDP). This portal is a one-stop digital destination for PwDs, who need skilling and employment, and for Training organizations and Employers/job aggregators of PwDs. Further, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) provides financial assistance to the voluntary Organizations for running various projects for the welfare/empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

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