Theme of International Day of Older Persons-‘Leaving No One
Behind: Promoting a Society for All” echoes Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas
“Ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for
their families, their communities and the economy"-states WHO Brasilia
declaration on healthy ageing, 1996. The theme of this year's 24th
commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons (1 October) is “Leaving
No One Behind: Promoting a Society for all. It echoes the spirit behind Government
of India’s visionary theme of Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas.
Development alone cannot bring peace and prosperity unless social
justice and equality of older people are ensured. With the improvement in
health services, Life Expectancy at birth for both males and females has shown
a steady rise and it has contributed to an increase in the number of persons in
the category of 60+. Thus as the world develops
socio-economically, the number of aged increases and their contribution through
government service, honorary jobs, volunteer work, sharing of experience and
knowledge, helping their families in caring responsibilities and participation
in gainful employment will also grow. Such
contributions to development can only be ensured if older persons enjoy
adequate levels of health, for which appropriate policies need to be in place.
In line with the Madrid International Plan of Action, the World Health
Organization launched in 2002 a document "Active Ageing - A Policy
Framework", outlining its approaches and perspectives for healthy ageing
throughout the life course.
India, a sub-continent that carries 15 per cent of the world’s
population, is gradually undergoing a demographic change as a result of many
factors including specific development programs. With decline in fertility and
mortality rates accompanied by an improvement in child survival and increased
life expectancy, a significant feature of demographic change is the progressive
increase in the number of older people. In 1951, 60+ populations were around 20
million. Three decades later in 1981, it was a little over 43 million, a
further decade later in 1991, this had increased to 55.30 million, in 2001 it
was 76.5 million and in 2011 it was 103.2 million.
International convention, legal enactments, constitutional provisions
etc emphasises the need for equality and empowerment of older people.
Well-being of older persons has been mandated in the Constitution of India.
Article 41, Directive Principle of State Policy stipulates that the State
shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make
effective provision for securities, right to public assistance in case of old
age. There are other provisions too, which mandates the state to improve the
quality of life of its citizens. Right to equality as a Fundamental right
further strengthen older persons. Social security has been made the concurrent
responsibility of the central and state Governments.
Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens.
The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) 1999, covers all concerns
pertaining to the welfare of older persons and recognizes a person aged 60
years and above as a senior citizen. In pursuance of the NPOP, a National
Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted in 1999 under the
Chairpersonship of the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to oversee
implementation of the Policy. An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Older
Persons comprising twenty-two Ministries/ Departments, and headed by the
Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is another coordination
mechanism in implementation of the NPOP.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted in December 2007 to ensure need based
maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare. The Act provides
for: Maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made
obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; Revocation of transfer
of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by relatives; Penal
provision for abandonment of senior citizens; Establishment of Old Age Homes
for Indigent Senior Citizens; Adequate medical facilities and security for
Senior Citizens.
The Ministry is implementing following
schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens:
· An
Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) is being implemented since 1992
with the objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens by
providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment
opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing
support for capacity building of Government/Non-Governmental
Organizations/Panchayati Raj Institutions/ local bodies and the
Community at large. Under the Scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the
project cost is provided to nongovernmental organizations for establishing and
maintaining old age homes, day care centres and
mobile medicare units. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f.
1.4.2008. Besides increase in amount of financial assistance for existing
projects, several innovative projects have been added as being eligible for
assistance under the Scheme.
A Non-Plan Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/
Voluntary Organisations/ Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/
Multi Service Centres for Older Persons was started in 1996-97. However, the
Scheme was not found attractive by implementing agencies and was discontinued
at the end of the X Plan (2006-07). A new Scheme for giving assistance for
Establishment of Old Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens is under
formulation.
Union Ministry of Finance has initiated various welfare measures for elderly
people which include (i) Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) instructions
on health insurance allowing entry into health insurance scheme till 65 years
of age;(ii) Tax Benefits for senior citizens like Income tax exemption for
Senior Citizens of 60 years and above up to Rs. 3 lakh per annum, Income tax
exemption for Senior Citizens of 80 years and above up to Rs. 5.0 lakh per
annum, deduction of Rs 20,000 under Section 80D is allowed to an individual who
pays medical insurance premium for his/ her parent or parents, who is a senior
citizen and deduction of the amount spent or Rs 60,000, whichever is less for
medical treatment of a dependent senior citizen. Also higher rates of interest
on saving schemes of senior citizens are extended by banks.
Union Budget 2014-2015 announced the revival of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana
(VPBY), a pension scheme for senior citizens launched a decade ago, for a
limited period from 15th August 2014 to 14th August 2015 for the
benefit of citizens aged 60 years and above. The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana
(VPBY) will benefit the vulnerable section of society with limited resources as
it will provide monthly pension ranging from Rs 500/ to Rs 5,000/ per month to
senior citizens of the country. Under this revived Varishtha Pension Bima
Yojana (VPBY), the senior citizens would get pension on fixed basis either on
yearly or monthly basis which will provide social security to senior citizens.
The subscription to the scheme is likely to create a corpus of more than Rs.
10,000 crore, and would thus also be a significant source of resource
mobilization for the development of the country. LIC of India has been given
the sole privilege to operate this scheme
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched National Programme for the
Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) during 11th Plan in order to address the
health-related issues of the elderly. The programme was launched on the basis
of recommendations made in the National Policy on Older Persons and State’s
obligation under the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & the Senior
Citizens Act 2007. Main components of NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were-
establishing 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in eight identified Regional
Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different parts of the
country. Another component was providing dedicated health care facilities in
District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres in 100 identified
districts of 21 States. Initially, 100 districts were selected from 21
states for this programme in 11th Five Year Plan. It is proposed to cover
225 more districts during the 12th Five Year Plan in a phased manner and
develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges
of the country. The Regional Geriatric Centres will provide technical support
to the geriatric units at district hospitals whereas district hospitals will
supervise and coordinate the activities down below at CHC, PHC and Sub-Centres.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued detailed advisories dated
27.3.2008 and 30.08.2013 to all the State Government/UTs, who are primarily
responsible for prevention, detection, registration, investigation and
prosecution of crime including crime against senior citizens. The Ministry of
Home Affairs in its advisories has advised the States/UTs to take immediate
measures to ensure safety and security and for elimination of all forms of
neglect, abuse and violence against old persons through initiatives such as identification
of senior citizens; sensitization of police personnel regarding safety,
security of older persons; regular visit of the beat staff; setting up of toll
free senior citizens help lines; setting up of senior citizen security cell;
verification of domestic helps, drivers, etc. Chapter V of the
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 provides for
protection of life and property of senior citizens. State Governments are
required to prescribe a comprehensive Action Plan for providing protection of
life and property of senior citizens.
Department of Pensions and Pensioner Grievances has set up a Pension Portal to
enable senior citizens to get information regarding the status of their
application, the amount of pension, documents required, if any, etc. The Portal
also provides for lodging of grievances. As per recommendation of the Sixth Pay
Commission, additional pension are to be provided. Under the Old Age Pension
Scheme, monthly pension is given at variable rates to the destitute old by
various State Governments/UT Administrations. Courts in the country accord
priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious
disposal.
The Ministry of Railways provides the following facilities to senior citizens:
Separate ticket counters for senior citizens of age 60 years and above at
various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres if the average demand per
shift is more than 120 tickets; Provision of lower berth to male passengers of
60 years and above and female passengers of 45 years and above; 40% and 50%
concession in rail fare for male (60 years) and female (58 years) senior
citizen respectively. Wheel Chairs for use of older persons are available at
all junctions, District Headquarters and other important stations for the
convenience of needy persons including the older persons. Ramps for wheel
chairs movement are available at the entry to important stations. Specially
designed coaches with provisions of space for wheel chairs, hand rail and specially
designed toilet for handicapped persons have been introduced
Indian Airlines is providing 50 per cent Senior Citizen Discount on Normal
Economy Class fare for all domestic flights to Indian senior citizens who have
completed the age of 65 years in the case of male senior citizens and 63 years
in the case of female senior citizens subject to certain conditions. Air India
is offering discount to senior citizens of 60 plus on flights to USA, UK and
Europe.
Under the Antyodaya Scheme, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
which also include older persons are provided food grains at the rate of
35 kgs. Per family per month. The food grains are issued @
Rs.3/- per kg. for rice and Rs.2/- per kg. for wheat. The
persons aged 60 years above from the BPL category were given priority for
identification. Under the Annapoorna Scheme being implemented by
the States/UT Administration, 10 kgs. of food grains per
beneficiary per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who
remain uncovered under the old age pension scheme. Instructions to State
Governments for giving priority to the Ration Card holders who are over 60
years of age in Fair Price Shops for issue of rations.
The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Indira Gandhi National
Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under which Central assistance is given
towards pension @ Rs. 200/- per month to persons above 60 years and @ Rs. 500/-
per month to persons above 80 years belonging to a household below poverty
line, which is meant to be supplemented by at least an equal contribution by
the States.
Also there is reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the
buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings; Some State Governments are
giving fare concession to senior citizens in the State Road Transport
Undertaking buses and are introducing Bus Models, which are convenient to the
elderly; Separate queues for older persons in hospitals for registration and
clinical examination; Faults/complaints of senior citizens are given priority
by registering them under senior citizens category with VIP flag, which is a
priority category; Senior citizens are allowed to register telephone connection
under N-OYT Special Category, which is a priority category.
To cap all these efforts, Government of India has launched National Awards for
Senior Citizens to recognise the efforts of eminent senior citizens,
institutions in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly. These Vayoshreshtha Samman is
conferred in 13 categories every year.
"Like any other country ageing is a challenge and a problem. We need to
make people fit and work- whatever the age. If they are working that solves
half the problem. We have to improve their skill levels, education and health,
that's the key as they are a new power for development”.
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