“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision Realized: Single Form to Simplify Pension Process for Elderly” says Dr. Jitendra Singh

Department of Pension adds another feather in the cap with a series of reforms such as Digital Life certificates, Pension Adalat, Anubhav Awards, PRE- retirement counselling workshops: Dr Singh

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the ease of living for senior citizens and pensioners across the nation, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today announced the launch of a single unified form, merging nine separate forms into one “Form 6-A’ and integration of e-HRMS with Bhavishya today at National Media Centre, New Delhi.

This initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to simplifying processes for senior citizens, enabling them to contribute effectively to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by preserving their energies and expertise while saving their valuable time.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the importance of this reform, stating, “The launch of the ‘Single Simplified Pension Application Form and Digital Integration of Bhavishya with e-HRMS’ is another milestone and a feather in the cap of the Department of Pension, which has consistently introduced reforms to improve the lives of our senior citizens.

Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated both the departments for these joint efforts in order to realize PM Modi’s priority and welfare of Senior citizens. The Department of Pension has been at the forefront of introducing several landmark reforms over the years, including the Digital Life Certificates, Pension Adalats, Anubhav Awards, and Pre-Retirement Counseling Workshops. These initiatives have been instrumental in ensuring transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for pensioners across the country.

The Minister recalled the special campaign for family pension grievances and shared that it has crossed the mark of 96% redressal rate including resolution of several long pending cases of dependent minor children, divyang daughters, widow/divorced daughters, dependent mothers and widows of war veterans.

Explaining the details the minister said “The retiring officials, who are on e-HRMS, will fill Form 6-A through e-HRMS (only Superannuation cases) and the retiring officials, who are not on e-HRMS, will fill Form 6-A in Bhavishya. He also added that Form submission by the Pensioner with single e-Sign (Aadhaar based OTP) will be enough.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also released Gazette Notification of New Single Pension Application Form: A vital step towards Ease of Living for retiring officials along with Compendium of Pension related Instructions.

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has developed an “Integrated Pensioners’ Portal” using Bhavishya platform as the base to provide a Common Single Window Portal for pensioners and elderly citizens. The State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and Union Bank of India are already integrated their Pension Portals with the Integrated Pensioners’ Portal.

Today Dr Jitendra Singh launched integration of Central Bank of India Pension Portal with Bhavishya. Presently, 4 facilities viz. Monthly Pension Slip, Status of Life Certificate, Submission Form 16 of the pensioner and Due & Drawn Statement of pension arrears paid, are being provided by these Banks. The goal is to integrate all Pension Disbursing Banks with this portal for a unified user experience.

According to Dr. Singh, the newly launched unified form is designed to streamline the process for pensioners, reducing the complexity of handling multiple forms and significantly cutting down on the time and effort required. This user-friendly approach is expected to benefit millions of senior citizens, enabling them to manage their pension-related matters with greater ease and convenience.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said “Government remains committed to its vision of empowering senior citizens and harnessing their wisdom and experience for the development of the nation. This latest initiative is a testament to the continued efforts to simplify and improve the systems that directly impact the lives of our elderly population.”

Shri.V Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW; Sh. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, DoPT, Shankari Murali, Addl CGA; Sh. Dhirendra Ojha, Pr. DG, PIB, Shri Dhrubajyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary (Pensions) and Sh. M V Rao, MD & CEO, Central Bank of India were present for the launch ceremony.

PIB

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Ministry of Finance

Senior Citizens above 75 years of Age, Having Pension & Interest Income exempted from Filing Tax Return

Further push to Affordable / Rental housing

Faceless dispute resolution committee in the offing

Tax relaxations for attracting Foreign Investment in Infrastructure sector

Tax incentives announced in Budget for Start-ups

Number of return fillers increased from 3.31 Crore to 6.48 Crore in 6 years

01 FEB 2021

The Union Budget 2021-22 presented in Parliament today by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman seeks to further simplify the Tax Administration, Litigation Management and ease the compliance of Direct Tax Administration.

In the Budget Speech, the Finance Minister provided relief to senior citizens in filing of income tax returns, reduced time limit for income tax proceedings, announced setting up of the Dispute Resolution Committee, faceless ITAT, relaxation to NRIs, increase in exemption limit from audit and relief for dividend income. She also announced steps to attract foreign investment into infrastructure, relief to affordable housing and rental housing, tax incentives to IFSC, relief to small charitable trusts, and steps for incentivizing Start-ups in the country.

Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, said that post-pandemic, a new world order seems to be emerging and India will have a leading role therein. She said in this scenario, our tax system has to be transparent, efficient and should promote investment and employment in the country. The Minister said that at the same time, it should put minimum burden on our tax payers. She said that a series of reforms had been introduced by the Government for the benefit of tax payers and economy, including slashing of corporate tax rate, abolition of dividend distribution tax, and increasing of rebate for small tax payers. In the year 2020, the income tax return filers saw a dramatic increase to 6.48 crore from 3.31 crore in 2014.

Union Budget 2021

RELIEF TO SENIOR CITIZENS

In the 75th year of independence, the Budget seeks to reduce the compliance burden on senior citizens who are of 75 years of age and above. Such senior citizens having only pension and interest income will be exempted from filing their income tax returns. The paying Bank will deduct the necessary tax on their income.

RELAXATION TO NRIs, RELIEF FOR DIVIDEND

The Budget proposes to notify rules for removing the hardship of Non-Resident Indians returning to India, on the issue of their accrued incomes in their foreign retirement account. It proposes to make dividend payment to REIT/InvIT exempt from TDS. For Foreign Portfolio Investors, the Budget proposes deduction of tax on dividend income at lower treaty rate. The Budget provides that advanced tax liability on dividend income shall arise only after the declaration or payment of dividend. The Minister said that this was being done as the amount of dividend income cannot be estimated correctly by the shareholders for paying advance tax.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING/ RENTAL HOUSING

The Finance Minister proposed to extend the eligibility period for a claim of the additional deduction for the interest of Rs. 1.5 lakh on loan taken for the purchase of an affordable house to 31st March 2022. In order to increase the supply of affordable houses, she also announced the extension of the eligibility period for claiming tax holidays for affordable housing projects by one more year to 31st March 2022. For promoting the supply of affordable rental housing for the migrant workers, the Minister announced a new tax exemption for the notified affordable rental housing projects.

TAX BENEFITS FOR START UPS

In order to incentivize start ups in the country, Smt. Sitharaman announced extension in the eligibility for claiming tax holiday for startups by one more year till 31st March, 2022. In order to incentivize funding of start ups, she proposed extending the Capital Gains exemption for investment in start ups by one more year till 31st March, 2022.

TIMELY DEPOSIT OF EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTION TO LABOUR WELFARE FUNDS

The Finance Minister said that delay in deposit of the contribution of employees towards various welfare funds results in permanent loss of interest/income for the employees. In order to ensure timely deposit of employee’s contribution to these funds by the employers, she announced that late deposit of employee’s contribution shall never be allowed as a deduction to the employer.

REDUCTION IN TIME FOR REOPENING INCOME TAX PROCEEDINGS

In order to reduce the compliance burden, the Budget provides a reduction in the time-limit for reopening of income tax proceedings to three years from the present six years. In serious tax evasion cases, where there is evidence of concealment of income of Rs. 50 lakh or more in a year, the assessment can be reopened up to 10 years but only after the approval of the Principal Chief Commissioner.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE & NATIONAL FACELESS INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL CENTRE

Stating the resolve of the Government to reduce litigation in the taxation system, the Finance Minister said that the Direct Tax ‘Vivad se Vishwas’ Scheme announced by the Government has been received well. Until 30th January 2021, over one lakh ten thousand taxpayers have opted to settle tax disputes of over Rs. 85 thousand crores under the Scheme. To further reduce litigation of small taxpayers, Smt. Sitharaman proposed to constitute a Dispute Resolution Committee. Anyone with a taxable income up to Rs. 50 lakh and disputed income up to Rs. 10 lakh, shall be eligible to approach the Committee which will be faceless to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability. She also announced the setting up of National Faceless Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Centre.

TAX AUDIT LIMIT HIKED FOR DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS

To incentivize digital transactions and to reduce the compliance burden of the person who is carrying almost all of their transactions digitally, the Budget proposes to increase the limit for tax audit for persons who are undertaking 95 percent of their transactions digitally from Rs. 5 Crore to Rs. 10 Crore.

INCENTIVES FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

To attract foreign investment into the infrastructure sector, the Budget proposes to relax certain conditions relating to prohibition on private funding, restriction on commercial activities, and direct investment in infrastructure. In order to allow funding of infrastructure by the issue of zero-coupon bonds, the Budget proposes to make notified infrastructure debt funds eligible to raise funds by issuing tax-efficient zero-coupon bonds.

TAX INCENTIVE TO IFSC

In order to promote International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City, the Budget proposes more tax incentives which include tax holiday for Capital gains from incomes of aircraft leasing companies, tax exemption for aircraft lease rentals paid to foreign lessors, tax incentives for relocating foreign funds in the IFSC and to allow tax exemption to the investment division of foreign banks located in IFSC.

RELIEF TO SMALL TRUSTS

In order to reduce the compliance burden on the small charitable trusts running educational institutions and hospitals, the Budget proposes to increase the limit on annual receipts for these trusts from present Rs.1 Crore to Rs. 5 Crore for non-applicability of various compliances.

FACELESS ITAT

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman further proposed to make Income Tax Appellate Tribunal faceless. She proposed a National Faceless Income Appellate Tribunal Centre, wherein all communication between the Tribunal and the appellant shall be electronic.

PRE-FILLING OF RETURNS

In order to ease the filing of returns, the Budget proposes that details of capital gains from listed securities, dividend income, and interest from banks, post office, etc. will also be pre-filled in returns. Details of salary income, tax payment, TDS, etc already come pre-filled in returns.

Source: PIB

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Central Government employees news

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowennent
Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Government of India

Subrahmanyam, IAS
Secretary

D.O. No.Secy(SJE)/SD/2020/214513

Date: 13.4.2020

Subject: Advisory for protection of senior citizens aged above 60 years.

Dear Chief Secretary,

The Senior Citizens who are aged above 60 years and especially those with medical conditions are particularly susceptible to infections during the COVID times. MSJE alongwith Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Geriatric Medicine, AllMS Delhi has prepared an Advisory to be followed by all the senior citizens and their care givers during these times.

I would request that this Advisory is widely publicised in all the districts, in all institutions working for senior citizens and through NGOs who are working in this area.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Encl: As above

(R. Subrahmanyam)
Chief Secretary of States/ UTs

Advisory for Senior Citizens during COVID-19

Based on the Census 2011 age-cohort data, it is projected that there would be approximately 16 Crore Senior citizens (aged above 60 yrs) in the Country.

Senior citizens above the age of 60 years face an increased risk in COVID times. This is an advisory for Senior Citizens and their caregivers on how to protect them from increased health risk during this period.

From whom is this?

• Aged 60 and above particularly those with following medical conditions
  • Chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, post tuberculous sequelae, interstitial lung disease
  • Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease, such as alcoholic, and viral hepatitis
  • Chronic neurologic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Cancer

Advisory for Senior Citizens who are mobile:

Advisory for caregivers of dependent senior citizens

Advisory for senior citizens on mental well-being

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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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F. No. Pr. DGIT(S)/CPC(TDS)/Notification/2018-19

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Central Board of Direct Taxes
Directorate of Income-tax (Systems)
New Delhi

Notification No. 06 /2018

New Delhi, 06th December, 2018

Subject: – TDS deduction under section 194A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in case of Senior Citizens – reg.

It has been brought to the notice of CBDT that in case of Senior Citizens, some TDS deductors/Banks are making TDS deductions even when the amount of income does not exceed fifty thousand rupees. The same is not in accordance with the law as the Income-tax Act provides that no tax deduction at source under section 194A shall be made in the case of Senior Citizens where the amount of such income or, the aggregate of the amounts of such income credited or paid during the financial year does not exceed fifty thousand rupees. (Please refer to the third proviso to sub-section 3 of section 194A)

2. Under sub-rule (5) of Rule 31A of the Income-tax Rules, 1962, the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) is authorized to specify the procedures, formats and standards for the purposes of furnishing and verification of the statements or claim for refund in Form 26B and shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration in relation to furnishing and verification of the statements or claim for refund in Form 26B in the manner so specified.

3. In exercise of the powers delegated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Board) under sub-rule (5) of Rule 31A of the Income-tax Rules, 1962, the Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) hereby clarifies that no tax deduction at source under section 194A shall be made in the case of Senior Citizens where the amount of such income or, the aggregate of the amounts of such income credited or paid during the financial year does not exceed fifty thousand rupees.

Sd/-
(Dewangi Marthak)
Asstt. Commissioner of Income-tax(CPC-TDS)
O/o the Pr. Director of Income-tax (Systems)
New Delhi

Source: incometaxindia.gov.in

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F.No 79-01/2016-SB
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
DakBhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001
Date: 29.06.2018

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject – Deduction of TDS in respect of Senior Citizens who have Invested In Sr.Citizen Savings Scheme regarding.

Sir / Madam,

I am directed to say that Government of India has amended Suction 194A of Income Tax Act 1961 through Finance Act 2018 and Inserted below new Proviso below Sub Section 3 of Section 194A:-

[Provided also that in case of payee being a senior citizen, the provisions of sub-clause (a), sub-clause (b), and sub-clause (c) shall have effect as if for tho words “ten thousand rupees”, tho words ‘fifty thousand rupees” had been substituted.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause, “senior citizen” means an Individual resident In India who is of the age of shay years or more at any time during the relevant previous year;)

2. With this amendment, now TDS will not be applicable on the total aggregated Interest Income up to Rs.50.000/- in a Financial year payable In case of all SCSS Accounts opened by Senior Citizens of the age of 60 years and above (who attained age of 60 years anytime during the previous financial year I.e 2017-2018). However, this limit will not be applicable to those SCSS Account holders who had opened SCSS Accounts under the relevant provisions of relaxed SCSS Rules for (I) individuals who attained the age of 65 years or more but less than 60 years and retired on superannuation or (ii) Personnel of Defence Services (excluding Civilian Defence Employees) and not attained age of 60 years during previous financial year i.e 2017.18). For such account holders, current limit of Re.10,0001- shall continue.

3. Rules reisting to submission of Form 15G (by those who are below the age of 60 Years) and 15H(who are of 60 Years or more age) are not changed. However, due to change of tax exemption limits for certain categories, Form 15G or 15H can be accepted If total Interest payable in a Financial Year of all SCSS Accounts of an individual SCSS account holder is within the Exemption Limit mentioned below:-

4. It Is requested to circulate this amendment to the concerned staff for Information and necessary action Necessary changes in CBS and Sanchaya Post application* an being canted out to implement the lame In CBS Post Offices

This Meuse with the approval of competent authority

Yours Faithfully,
(P.b. Meena)
Assistant Director(SB-I)

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New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley unveils the budget on 1 February. The salaried class has a lot of expectations from the Budget. Increase in the personal income tax exemption limit and a higher deduction limit on home loan interest are among the common ones, say analysts.

The following salaried people’s expectations from FM Jaitley’s Budget 2017-18:

1. Raise minimum limit for taxable income

Considering the increase in cost of living, the current basic exemption limit of 2.5 lakh should be raised to Rs. 3 lakh. If the minimum limit is increased, it will not only benefit taxpayers at the bottom but also salaried class youth who are starting out as employees.

2. Change in tax slabs

A Change in of tax slabs will be a big balm for the salaried class. Currently, 10 per cent tax is charged on annual income of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, 20 per cent on Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 30 per cent on income above Rs 10 lakh. The first two slabs can be widened or taxed at a lower rate.

3. Raise exemption limit on allowances

Salaried employees enjoy exemption from tax on several allowances/benefits that the employer provides such as children’s education, conveyance, medical reimbursement, house rent and leave travel. The allowance limits were fixed a long time ago and need to be revised in view of inflation.

4. Increase deduction under Section 80C

Currently, deduction under Section 80C of the Income-tax Act is allowed from Rs 150,000 to Rs 300,000. If Jaitley increases the limit, he can boost household savings which can ultimately get invested and power growth.

5. Bring back deduction on infrastructure bonds

The government may reintroduce deduction of Rs 20,000 or actual amount invested, whichever is lower, for investments made in infrastructure bonds. This will also boost spending, spur growth and create more jobs.

6. Offer more incentives for NPS investment

Jaitley can offer more incentives for taxpayers to invest in the National Pension System (NPS). He can increase the deduction under Section 80CCD (1B) to Rs 100,000 from the existing Rs 50,000. He can also being NPS on par with the Employees Provident Fund or Public Provident Fund with respect to exemption of 100 per cent of the accumulated balance on withdrawal, subject to certain conditions.

7. Offer interest subvention on home loans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already offered interest subvention of 3 per cent and 4 per cent for loans of up to Rs 12 lakh and Rs 9 lakh, respectively, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. However, these subventions are targeted at buyers in Tier 3 cities. Budget 2017 has scope of offering interest subvention on larger amounts of loan which will benefit buyers in big cities and other urban areas.

8. Allow higher deduction on home loan EMIs

Currently, the deduction available on interest on home loan is up to Rs 2,00,000. The deduction can be claimed on the principal repayment for up to Rs 1.50 lakh. There is a large scope in both cases to raise the deduction limits.

9. Allow early deduction on home loan EMIs

Deduction for interest on home loan is currently available only after the buyer gets the possession of the property. This means the benefit begins several years after the buyer gets the home loan and begins paying the EMIs. This deduction can be given right from the payment of the first EMI.

10. Raise exemption limit for senior citizens

The existing exemption limit of Rs 300,000 for senior citizens (60 years to less than 80 years) and Rs 500,000 for super senior citizens (80 years and above) could be enhanced to Rs 400,000 and Rs 600,000 respectively.

TST

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Mumbai: Keeping in view that all banks have been working on overdrive since the Centre announced demonetisation, the Indian Bank Association (IBA) on Friday announced that all banks across the nation will not exchange over the counter the new 2000 rupee notes on Saturday in order to update their pending works and tend to their respective customers.

Speaking to ANI here, IBA Chairman Rajeev Rishi stated that ever since demonetisation was announced, all banks have been working for extended hours including holidays to ensure the public at large was not inconvenienced.

“In fact, we have diverted all human resource to make sure that all those who stood in queues got their money exchanged, deposited and withdrawn. In the process what we have felt is that in the last one week our own customers have actually suffered. Routine works are not done and routine works are pending in banking activities,” he said.

However, senior citizens are exempted from the directive and banks will be accepting all their requests.

“We have taken a view that on Saturday, the banks shall not be doing exchange over the counter of 2000 rupees. We will make an exception for senior citizens. But tomorrow we will spend trying to update our works and do the works in relation to our own customers,” Rishi added.

Asserting that the time tomorrow will be used for meeting the needs of their own customers, the chairman further said that all banks will be observing their normal hours and will ensure their patrons get the full service and undivided attention in other matters.

ANI

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New Delhi: In order to improve the standard of living of senior citizens, the government will soon come up with a national policy, which will focus on providing benefits of health care and accommodation to the elderly people.

A note in this regard has been prepared and it will be taken up by the Cabinet soon, a source said.

The note has been prepared by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in consultation with various ministries and departments of the central government.

The note has taken into consideration the changing demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of the senior citizens, social value system, the source added.

This new and comprehensive national policy for senior citizens is based on the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999.

As a person grows old, his or her health becomes a major issue. Therefore, in the policy, special attention is being given to this aspect. The policy also talks about accommodation facilities for the senior citizens.

Another major thrust of the policy is to make the society and its younger generation sensitive towards their elders and at the same time, involve them in taking care of them, the source said.

According to the 2011 Census, the population of senior citizens in the country is 10.38 crore, which is about 8.6 per cent of the total population.

PTI

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Instructions exist for provision of Wheel Chair at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice.

Almost all the Mail/Express trains (except special type of trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Janshatabdi, AC Special, Duronto) including Garib Rath trains have been provided with at least one disabled friendly coach. SLRD (Second Class Cum Luggage Cum Guard Van & Disabled friendly compartment) coaches and Power Cars for Garib Rath trains having provisions for PWD (Persons with Disability) Compartment with air-conditioning are already in service. These coaches have wider entrance doors for wheelchair access. Besides, following features are also provided:

i) Wider entrance doors of 920 mm width against 782 mm in conventional body side doors.

ii) Handrails on side walls for providing assistance to the disabled.

iii) Wider aisle of 1050 mm instead of usual 570 mm (the seats alongside the sidewall have been removed).

iv) Wider cushioned Berths – 707 mm instead of 607 mm in conventional coaches.

v) To accommodate wheel chairs, space between berths increased to 1201 mm against usual 542 mm.

vi) Larger Lavatory: 1947 mm square instead of 1540 mm x1189 mm.

vii) Wider lavatory door provided: 840 mm instead of usual 520 mm.

viii) Additional grab rails provided in the lavatory.

ix) Lower height of wash basin and mirror in the toilet.

Zonal Railways have been authorised to introduce ‘Battery Operated Vehicles’ at major Railway Stations for Disabled, Old Aged and sick Passengers on first come first served basis through sponsorship from individuals, NGOs, trusts, Charitable institutions, Corporates and PSUs/Corporate Houses under their Corporate Social Responsibility with no charge to passenger or to the Railway.

Provision/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for differently abled passengers is a continuous process. In order to provide better accessibility to differently abled passengers, short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all stations:

· Standard ramp for barrier free entry.

· Earmarking at least two parking lots.

· Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to building.

· Signages of appropriate visibility.

· At least one toilet (on the ground floor).

· At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by differently-abled persons.

· ‘May I help you’ Booth.

In addition, long term facilities as detailed below have been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:

· Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.

· Engraving on edges of platform.

Instructions have been issued to zonal railways for providing above facilities at all ‘A-1’ category stations by July 2016 and to provide all identified short term facilities at 50% of stations by March 2018.

This Press Release based on information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 29.04.2016 (Friday).

PIB

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