PARLIAMENT QUESTION: WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, implements a scheme namely Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) to provide help and security to the senior citizens. The Scheme has following seven components:

1. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizen (IPSrC): Grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes (old age homes), Continuous Care Homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainments are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens.
2. State Action Plan for Senior Citizen (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.
3. Elderline: The National Helpline on Toll free number 14567 namely ‘Elderline’ was launched on date 01.10.2021 for grievance redressal of Senior Citizens and to generate awareness about the Act, schemes & programmes being executed by Central & State Governments.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Training of Geriatric Caregivers – 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 care givers in the field of geriatrics.
7. Other Initiatives for Senior Citizens: In order to solve the problems of healthy and productive ageing, several initiatives are implemented across the country.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has notified an Act namely ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007(MWPSC Act)’ to ensure the well-being of elderly population. Section 7 of the said Act provides for the constitution of Tribunals to be presided over by an officer not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the State. Under Section 9 of the Act, these Tribunals can issue an order of Maintenance of Senior Citizens against their children/relatives, responsible for maintenance of the Senior Citizens. Further, as per Section 24 and 25 of the said Act, abandonment and harassment of senior citizens with the intention of leaving them in distress is a punishable offense with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both. This provision underscores the legal obligation of family members to care for elderly relatives and deters potential neglect.

The Government has extended the health coverage of flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all the senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income. Further, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare implements National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE) Scheme to ensure health of the senior citizens. Salient features of this program are: (i) Community based primary Healthcare approach, (ii) Dedicated service at PHC/CHC level, (iii) dedicated facilities at district hospitals with 10 bedded wards , (iv) Strengthening of Regional Geriatric Centres to provide dedicated tertiary level medical facilities for the elderly , (v) Information, Education and Communication(IEC) using mass media, folk media and other communication channels and (vi) Continuous Monitoring and independent evaluation of the Programme and research in Geriatrics and implementation of NPHCE (vii) The Tertiary Component of National Health Mission has been renamed as Rashtriya Varishth Jan Swasthya Yojana in 2016-17 under which 17 Regional Geriatric Centres and 2 National Centres of Ageing have been made established .

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.