ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
Source: The post is based on the article “Social Security of Elders” published in PIB on 25th July 2023
What is the News?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has informed Lok Sabha about the social security measures taken for elders.
Elderly Population in India:
According to the 2011 Census, the population of senior citizens is 10.38 crore amounting to 8.6% of the total population of the country.
The National Commission on Population’s Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections (2011-2036) for India and States released in 2020 states that the population of senior citizens in 2036 will be 22.7 crore ie.15% of the total population of India.
What are the Social Security measures taken for elderly population?
Umbrella Scheme of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): It is being run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. It includes components to provide financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, welfare etc. for senior citizens. Important components of the scheme:
– Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Under this, grant-in-Aid is given to Implementing Agencies for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes where basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, entertainment opportunities etc are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens.
– Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojna (RVY): Under this, assisted living devices are distributed free of cost, in camp mode, to senior citizens belonging to the families living below the poverty line or having Rs. 15000/- as monthly income and suffering from age related disabilities.
– Elderline/National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC): It provides free information, guidance, emotional support and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): It is a part of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Department of Rural Development.
– It provides a monthly pension at the rate of Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary to elderly persons in the age group of 60-79 years belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The rate of pension is increased to Rs.500/- per month per beneficiary on reaching the age of 80 years.
National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly(NPHCE): It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2010-11 with a view to provide dedicated healthcare services to senior citizens at various level of State Health Care delivery system i.e., at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health care, including outreach services.
