National Policy on Senior Citizen: Rajya Sabha QA

National Policy on older persons/senior citizens/super senior citizens: Rajya Sabha QA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0 -1733
ANSWERED ON – 15/03/2023

NATIONAL POLICY ON SENIOR CITIZEN

1733. SHRI NARANBHAI J. RATHWA SHRI RAJMANI PATEL

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that Government has in place a National Policy on older persons/senior citizens/super senior citizens;

(b) if so, the salient features of the policy;

(c) whether it is a fact that as compared to USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore, there are hardly any benefits being given to Senior Persons in India; and

(d) if so, details and reasons therefor and steps being taken to grant old age pension, free medical, free bus travel and metro travel throughout the country?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARA YANASWAMY)

(a) & (b) The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in 1999 to reaffirm the commitment to ensure the well-being of older persons. The Policy envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter and other needs of older persons, equitable share in development, protection against abuse and exploitation, and availability of services to improve the quality of their lives.

(c) & (d) As compared to western world, in India, family still plays the role of the first institution to take care of its elderly members. Moreover, Government of India is implementing various schemes and programmes, through different Ministries and Departments for care and welfare of senior citizens. These include shelter, food, healthcare, financial security, social security, awareness, recreation etc. Details given at Annexure.

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Source: Rajya Sabha