Annual Plan of Action 2005-06 for the Welfare of Older Persons

Annual Plan of Action 2005-06 for Implementation by Various Ministries/Departments Concerned with the Welfare of Older Persons

As per Census 2001, the population of older persons is 7.6. crore and is projected to increase to 11.29 crore in 2016 and to 19.8 crore in 2030. The society is witnessing a gradual but definite withering of the joint family system as a result of which a section of the family, primarily, the elderly, are exposed to emotional neglect and to lack of physical support. Given the trend of population ageing in India, the elder persons face a number of problems ranging from absence of ensured and sufficient income to support themselves and their dependents, to ill-health, to absence of social security, to loss of a social role and recognition and to non-availability of opportunities for creative use of free time. The trend clearly reveals that ageing is emerging as one of the major social challenge. Hence, there is need to pay greater attention to Ageing issues and to promote holistic policies and programmes for ensuring income and social security for this vulnerable segment of society.

2. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, being the nodal Ministry for the welfare of the older persons has to establish linkages and networks with other Ministries and State/UT Governments in order to develop effective programmes for the care and support of the elderly. To carry forth this mandate, the National Policy on Older Persons envisages action to be taken by each Ministry to implement the aspects concerning them.

A brief overview of the activities proposed for each Ministry/Department concerned would facilitate a clear understanding of the action plan in its first phase:

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

1. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will function as the nodal Ministry for co-ordination and review of inter-governmental and intra-governmental activities
2. Voluntary organizations in the field of ageing will be promoted, assisted and encouraged to raise their own resources.
3. Mobile medicare units would be given a wider coverage in areas where State Governments are unable to provide adequate coverage.
4. Facilities will be provided for the training and orientation of workers and volunteers in organizations providing services to the elderly.
5. State Govts would be urged to frame the State policies on Ageing and prepare a State Action Plan for implementing it.
6. Research, Training and Documentation in the field of Ageing.
7. To examine the issue of uniformally acceptable ration cards for older persons.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

1. Setting-up of Geriatric wards in all district level hospitals.
2. Expansion of treatment facilities for chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases.
3. Expansion of facility of mobile clinics
4. Strengthening of PHC/CHCs in order to provide improved medical facilities to those elderly who are not able to attend the medical centers.
5. Inclusion of geriatric care courses under the training syllabi of medical courses especially nursing care.
6. To encourage public hospitals not having reserved certain percentage of beds for the elderly for doing the same.
7. Training of geriatric caregivers.
8. Setting up research institutes for chronic elderly diseases such as dementia & Alzheimer.

Department of Secondary & Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development

1. To encourage universities/departments/research centers to develop and deliver appropriate educational and training material relevant and useful for older persons.
2. To inculcate the traditional values in education system in order to remove prejudices against the elderly.
3. Promotion of Interactive programmes between associations of older persons, old age homes and schools.
4. Primary education sector to be supplemented by voluntary educators among the senior citizens in schools facing the problem of shortage of teachers.

Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development

1. Under the scheme of "Women in difficult circumstances", a separate provision for the welfare of destitute elderly women may be included.

Ministry of Urban Development

1. Planning of public buildings and housing establishments so that they are barrier free and user friendly. (Follow-up with the respective State/UT Governments to whom instructions have already been issued in this regard as indicated by the Ministry of Urban Development).
2. To give preference to older persons in the allotment of flats preferably on the ground floor in multi-storied housing with no facilities of lift.
3. A single window clearance may be provided for house plan sanction/approval, electricity connection, sewage connection etc.

Ministry of Finance

1. Liberal tax benefits for senior citizens.
2. Adoption of the age of 60 years for senior citizens for giving tax benefits.
3. Better rate of interest on investment schemes for the elderly.
4. Formulating new schemes for medical insurance covering whole life of an individual.

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