Important Schemes for the Welfare of Senior Citizens
Some of the important Schemes being implemented for the welfare of senior citizens are as follows:
- Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
- National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE)
Brief details of the above schemes are given in the Annexure.
During the XIth five year plan period, evaluation studies were got conducted to assess the impact of the IPOP. Some of the major recommendations of these studies were for enhancement in financial norms, increase in the types of projects supported, need for engagement of specialized doctors in the centres, etc.
In view of the above recommendations, IPOP was revised w.e.f 1.4.2008. Besides revision of the financial norms, several innovative projects e.g. Day Care Centre for Alzheimer`s Disease/ Dementia Patients; Physiotherapy Clinics for Older Persons; Help-lines and Counseling Centres for Older Persons; Regional Resource and Training Centres; etc. were added as being eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme has been revised w.e.f 1.4.2011, bringing down the minimum age of eligibility under it from 65 years to 60 years, and increasing the Central contribution towards pension amount, for those who are 80 years and above, from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/- per month.
Brief details of the 3 important Schemes meant for Senior Citizens:
| Sl. No. | Name of Scheme | Nodal Ministry | Brief details of the Scheme |
| 1. | Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | The Scheme is being implemented since 1992 and revised w.e.f 1.4.2008. Financial assistance is provided under it to State Governments/ Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Urban Local Bodies and Non Governmental Organisations for running and maintenance of projects like: · Old Age Home; · Day Care Centre; · Mobile Medicare Unit; · Day Care Centre for Alzheimer’s Disease/ Dementia Patients; · Physiotherapy Clinic for Older Persons; · Help-lines and Counseling Centres for Older Persons; · Sensitizing Programmes for Children particularly in Schools and Colleges; · Regional Resource and Training Centres; etc. |
| 2. | Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) | Ministry of Rural Development | Under the Scheme, 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. |
| 3. | National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Major components of this programme, launched in 2010-11, are: · Community based Primary Healthcare approach; · Strengthening of health services for senior citizens at District Hospitals/ CHC/ PHC/ Sub-Centres; · Dedicated facilities at 100 District Hospitals with 10 bedded wards for the elderly; · Strengthening of 8 Regional Medical Institutions to provide dedicated tertiary level Medical Care for the elderly, with 30 bedded wards, at New Delhi (AIIMS), Chennai, Mumbai, Srinagar, Vanarasi, Jodhpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati; and · Introduction of PG courses in Geriatric Medicines in the above 8 Institutions and In-Service training of health personnel at all level. |
The above statement was submitted by Min of SJE in reply of undermentioned Lok Sabha Questions:-
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO 402
ANSWERED ON 23.04.2013
WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS
402 . Shri NISHIKANT DUBEY
JAGADA NAND SINGH
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has recently reviewed the implementation of the schemes for the welfare of senior citizens;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to remove the deficiencies, if any, noticed therein;
(d) whether the Government has also proposed to reduce the age limit of senior citizens for availing the benefits of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (KUMARI SELJA)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in parts (a) to (e) in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No.402 for answer on 23.04.2013 regarding `Welfare of Senior Citizens” by Shri Nishikant Dubey and Shri Jagadanand Singh.
(a) to (e): **see above**
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