Lok Sabha Question No. 867 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Welfare of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 867 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.03.2016

## 867. WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

## SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

(a) the steps taken by the Government to provide basic needs to older persons particularly food, shelter and healthcare;

(b) whether the Government proposes to introduce schemes to build and strengthen intergenerational  relationship  between  children/youth  and  older  persons  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(c) the steps taken  by  the  Government  for  providing  Institutional  and  non-institutional care/service to older persons;

(d) whether the Government has received any proposal from Kerala for welfare and protection of older persons; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) This Ministry is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) under which grants-in-aid are given for running and maintenance of inter-alia,  Old  Age  Homes,  Day  Care  Centres,  Mobile  Medicare  Units  etc.  The  main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of older persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities etc.

(b) Section-19 of the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 provides for strengthening integration  between  generations,  facilitate  two  ways  flows  and  interactions,  and  strengthen bonds  between  the  young  and  the  old.  It  believes  in  the  development  of  a  social  support system,  informal  as  well  as  formal,  so  that  the  capacity  of  families  to  take  care  of  older persons is strengthened.

Under the scheme of IPOP, there is a provision for financial assistance to the NGOs for conducting Programmes for sensitization of school/college students and Awareness Generation Programme on issues concerning senior citizens for strengthening the intergenerational bonding in the youth, children and older persons.

Besides, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as the nodal Ministry for the welfare of senior citizens observes the 1 st  October as the International Day of Older Persons every year at national level with a series of programmes which include organizing an intergenerational  Walkathon  at  the  India  Gate  New  Delhi  and  also  in  the  State  Capitals.  State Governments are also requested to observe this occasion in befitting manner right up to the Block levels, to showcase the Government's concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards  them  with  the  aim  of  strengthening  their  legitimate  place  in  the  society  and  for providing  an  opportunity  to  the  younger  generations  to  understand  the  contribution  of  the elderly in building of the society. The National Institute of Social Defence, an autonomous organization of this Ministry, also conducted 66 sensitization programmes on inter-generational gap for school teachers/students/counsellors etc., during 2014-15. (c)

- As  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare, keeping in view the recommendations made in the "National Policy on Older Persons" as well  as  the  State's  obligation  under  the  "Maintenance  and  Welfare  of  Parents  and  Senior Citizens'  Act,  2007",   the  Ministry  had  launched  the  "National  Programme  for  the  Health Care  of  Elderly"  (NPHCE)  during  2010-11  to  address  various  health  related  problems  of elderly people.     The major objectives of the NPHCE are establishment of Department of Geriatrics in identified Medical Institutions as Regional Geriatric Centre for different regions of the country and to provide dedicated health facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centre levels through State Health Society.  Following facilities are being provided under the programme:
- i. Geriatric  OPD,  30-bedded  Geriatric  Ward  for  in-patient  care  etc.  at  Regional Geriatric Centres (RGCs)
- ii. Geriatric OPD and 10-bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals
- iii. Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres (CHCs)
- iv. Weekly Geriatric Clinics at Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
- v. Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-Centres.

Further, under the IPOP Scheme, institutional care/service is provided to older persons through the projects of Day  Care Centres for taking care of older persons with Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. (d) &    (e): Yes, Madam.  The State Government of Kerala has forwarded 5 new project proposals for the year 2014-15 under the Scheme of Integrated Programme for older Persons, out of which three project proposals have been approved by the Screening Committee in its meeting held on 30 th  December, 2015 and 4 th  January, 2016. New project proposals for the year 2015-16 are still being received from the State Governments.

During  the  year  2015-16,   an  amount  of  Rs  16.62  lakhs  has  been  released  till  date  for  four new/ongoing projects of the NGOs under the Scheme.

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