Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment

Priority Direction: Ensuring enabling and supporting environments for Elderly in India

Main issues

�Housing and living environment

�Care and support for caregivers

�Neglect, abuse and violence

�Images of ageing

Demographic Profile

• As per census 2011 census, the 60+

population accounts for 8.6% of

India’s national population,

translating into 103.8 million Sr.

Citizens.

Constitutional and Legal

Provision

• Article 41 of the Constitution- provides that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.

• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007

Housing and living environment

NSSO survey

report 2011

NSSO survey

report 2011

Initiative taken by various Ministries

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment-• National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP,1999) - areas of

intervention in the Policy are-

– Support to voluntary organisations through grants, providing shelter, food security etc.

– pension, taxation policies, long term savings,

– strengthening health care system, health insurance, training of health care personnel, expansion of mental health services,

– awareness generation regarding inter-generational bonding,

– protection of life and property, etc.

• National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC)- highest body to advise the Government in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes for the aged.

• Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)-

– Financial assistance -upto 95% to-

– Old Age Homes - for destitute older persons

– Mobile Medicare Units - for older persons living in slums, rural and inaccessible areas

– Respite Care Homes and Continuous Care Homes -for older persons seriously ill requiring continuous nursing care and respite

– Awareness Generation Project

– Under this scheme about 700 Projects are running.

Contd..

Contd..

Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation

• Housing for All (Urban) Mission,(2015)-

Affordable Housing in partnership with public or private sector- Provisions for Senior Citizens-

(i) preference in allotment may be given to Sr. Citizens

(ii)the families with senior citizens may be allotted house preferably on ground floor or lower floors.

Contd..

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Implements National Programme for Health Care of the

Elderly (NPHCE) -provide dedicated health care facilities to

the elderly people through State Public health delivery system

at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

• total of 300 districts of 24 States/UTs and 13 Regional

Geriatric Centres have been covered under the Programme.

• Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana- National health

insurance scheme for poor families. The beneficiaries under

RSBY are entitled to hospitalization coverage up to Rs.

(30,000+60000)/- per annum on family floater basis, for most

of the diseases that require hospitalization.

Contd..

Ministry of Finance

• The basic Tax Exemption limit for senior citizens

(60+ years) is more than the standard exemption.

• To incentivize younger generation to look after

medical needs of their parents, I.T. Act provides for a

deduction of Rs30000/- in force insurance on the

health of the Sr. citizen parents from the taxable

income.

• Allowing entry into health insurance scheme till 65

years of age.

Contd.

Ministry of Rural Development

• National Social Assistance Programmes (NSAP)-

under this programme following scheme are

running-

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme,

• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

• In addition to central assistance, states also

contribute in these schemes.

Contd..

Ministry of Railways

• grants concession in the basic fares.

• provision to allot lower berths to Senior

Citizens

• Instructions for provisions of wheel chairs

• Separate counters for senior citizens etc.

Contd..

Ministry of Civil Aviation

• provision for automated buggies free of charge for

all senior citizens by Airline /airport operator

• Provision for small trolleys after security check

for carriage of hand baggage up to the boarding

gate by Airport operators

• Air India offers 50% discount to senior citizens

on the highest economy class Basic Fare.

Contd..

Ministry of Urban Development

• Model Building Bye Laws, 2016 (MBBL)-prescribes standards for creation of elder friendly barrier free environment with reference to buildings, toilets etc.

• Urban Bus Specification-II (2013)- the emphasis on procurement of low floor buses with proper ramps and wheel chair to be placed in the bus

• Metro Rail Projects- implements elder friendly infrastructure such as proper ramps/lifts to the stations, level boarding, reservation of seats etc.

Care and support for caregivers

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD)-implements National Initiative on Care for Elderly (NICE) project. The objectives of-

• develop a cadre of professionals for the care and welfare of the older persons;

• provide a comprehensive and scientific knowledge base on various aspects relating to geriatric care;

• generate skilled manpower focused on intervention in the family and community setting for the welfare of the older persons

• Facilitate convergence of services of Government/Non Government Sectors both locally and at the national level.

Contd..

• Out Reach and Capacity Building Program: In order to have a wider reach of the activities and to decentralize the training programmes, the Ministry has designated 8 NGOs as Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) having the necessary expertise and experience.

• Computer Training Programme –computer training to the elderly people with a view to help them dispel their inhibitions to adopt to new technology and take advantage of IT enabled services like e-Ticketing, e-Banking, e-Business etc.

Neglect, abuse and violence

• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007

• Establishment of Old age homes for destitute older persons

• Transfer of property to be void in certain circumstances

• Cognizance of offences

• penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens

• adequate medical facilities and security for senior citizens

Images of ageing

• International Day on Older Person (1st

October)- A Walkathon is organized to promote inter-generational bonding wherein more than 3000 senior citizens from across Delhi, NGOs, and school children from different schools participate

• National Award- under 10 different categories are conferred on senior citizens

• Bridging Inter-generational Gap- In order to bridge the gap between generations, Sensitization Programmes for School Teachers, students and Counsellors

Awareness Campaign through Media

Awareness Campaign through Media

Thank You