Lok Sabha Question No. 2039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Social Security Schemes for the Elderly
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2039 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2025

## SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY

## 2039. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the growing issue of elderly individuals being left without family care due to the increasing migration of youth to foreign countries, particularly in States like Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any studies to assess the impact of this trend on the well-being, security and healthcare of elderly citizens in the country;
- (c) whether the Government plans to introduce new social security schemes or strengthen existing programmes to ensure adequate financial, medical and emotional support for the elderly, especially those living alone or in rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of any initiatives taken to promote affordable eldercare homes, day-care centres or community support systems to address the needs of senior citizens?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Government of Kerala has informed that as per the Kerala migration surveys, since 1998, there has been a larger migration of the young population of the state for education and employment. Even though currently the State is witnessing a higher in-migration to balance this, the lack of human resources had affected the elderly care within families largely. The declining fertility rate and higher migration leads to a State where there is a higher concern for the need of caregivers to address the care giving needs of the increasing volume of the elderly population.
- (b): No such study has been conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- (c): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is already implementing an umbrella scheme, namely Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) w.e.f. 01.04.2021 throughout the country including rural areas for the Welfare of Senior Citizens across the country. The scheme has following seven components:
- i. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)- Grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations 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. State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) - Under State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), the State Government implements the State Action Plan for welfare of senior citizens. Grant in-aid is provided to States/ UTs for activities like awareness generation, sensitization, cataract surgeries and State specific activities.
- iii. Elderline: National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC): The National Helpline on Toll free number 14567 namely 'Elderline' was launched on 01.10.2021 for grievance redressal of Senior Citizens and to generate awareness about the Act, schemes & programmes being executed by Central & State Governments.
- iv. 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 was launched on 01.04.2017. The Scheme is implemented through the "Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), (a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the M/oSJE) as the sole implementing Agency.
- V. Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE)- SAGE scheme Component is to promote out-of-the-box and innovative solutions for the commonly faced problems. Under this scheme component, innovative start-ups are identified and encouraged for developing products, processes and services for the welfare of the elderly. The selection of the start-ups is made through a transparent process and the funds are provided as equity, subject to the Government investment not exceeding 49% of the total equity of the Firm.
- vi. Training of Geriatric Care Givers- The main objective of this scheme component is to bridge the gap in supply and increasing demand in the field of geriatric caregivers so as to provide more professional services to the senior citizens and also to create a cadre of professional givers in the field of geriatrics.
- vii. Other Initiatives for Senior Citizens: In order to solve the problems of healthy and productive ageing, several initiatives are implemented across the country.

Further, the Ministry of Rural Development implements National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) across the country as a social security programme under which central pension of Rs. 200/- per month to persons in age group of 60-79 years and Rs.500/- per month from 80 years onwards is provided. As per guidelines of NSAP, the State/UTs are encouraged to provide top up amounts at least equivalent to the assistance provided by the Central Government so that the beneficiaries could get a decent level of assistance. At present, the States/UTs are adding Top up amounts ranging from Rs.50 to Rs.3000 per month per beneficiary under Old age scheme of NSAP, resulting in an average monthly pension of around R1,000/- in most of the States/UTs. At present, there is no proposal for increase in coverage/assistance is under consideration.

Also, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 Cr beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 Crore families constituting the bottom 40% of India's population. On 29th October 2024, the Government expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to provide free treatment benefits of up to 75 lakh per year to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.

(d): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), funds 669 projects nationwide. These projects provide crucial support to senior citizens, encompassing 620 Senior Citizen Homes(old age homes), 13 Continuous Care Homes, 11 Regional Resource and Training Centres, 18 Mobile Medicare Units, and 5 Physiotherapy Clinics.

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