Welfare Schemes & Programmes for Senior Citizens

Schemes and Programmes being run by the various Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, for welfare of Senior Citizens

1. “Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)”. This scheme was earlier known as “Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)” and is being run under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Under this scheme, grants-in-aid are given for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes popularly called Old Age Homes/Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units, etc., to the Implementing Agencies such as State Governments / Union Territory Administrations (through Registered Societies)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRls) / Local bodies; Non­ Governmental/Voluntary Organizations. Under the Scheme, grant is released after the receipt of Utilization Certificate of previous grant.

2. ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)’. The objective of the scheme is to provide senior citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions. This scheme was launched on 1st April, 2017 and is under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Under the Scheme, assisted living devices such as walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/ crutches, tripods/quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures, spectacles are provided free of cost to the identified beneficiary senior citizens. The Scheme is being implemented by the “Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)”, a Public Sector Undertaking under this Ministry. The devices are distributed in the camp mode to the identified beneficiaries. The Scheme is being funded from Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF).

3. “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund”. In pursuance of the Budget Announcement, 2015- 16, this welfare fund has been created to be utilized for such schemes, for promoting financial security of senior citizens, healthcare and nutrition of senior citizens, welfare of elderly widows, schemes relating to Old Age Homes, Short Stay Homes and Day Care of senior citizens etc. , for the promotion of the welfare of senior citizens. This scheme is under administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Fund comprises of the unclaimed amounts transferred by every institution holding such fund in the Schemes including Small Savings and other Saving Schemes of the Central Government such as Post Office Savings Accounts, Post Office Recurring Deposits Accounts etc., Accounts of Public Provident Funds and Accounts of Employees Provident Fund, that remain unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of the account being declared as inoperative account. The Fund is administered by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, comprising of Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and Ministry of Labour and Employment, with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as the Nodal Ministry for administration of the Fund.

4. National Council for Older Persons (NCOP). In pursuance of the National Policy for Older Persons (N POP), this council was constituted in 1999 to oversee implementation of the Policy and to advise the Government in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes for the aged. The National Council for Older Persons (N COP) has been reconstituted and renamed as National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC) in 2012. The mandate of NCSrC is to advise Central and State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life. The Hon’ble Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment is the Chairperson of the Council.

5. ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’. In order to recognize the efforts made by eminent Senior Citizens and Institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started celebrating International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), since 1st October, 2005, giving in recognition to their contribution to the society. Further, in order to showcase the Government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards senior citizens with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society, the Vayoshrestha Samman was upgraded to National Award and the Scheme of National Awards for Senior Citizens was notified in the Gazette of India on 22.01.2013. The Awards are given under thirteen categories. The National Awards were presented for the first time during 2013, on 1st October, on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP). On 1st October every year, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment also organizes Health Camps, Inter-generational walkathons etc. in different States with active participation of Senior Citizens, Youth, Celebrities and Media-persons etc.

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