As per the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections-July 2020, population of senior citizens has been projected to be 193.4 million by 2031.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a Centrally sponsored programme, namely ‘National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly’ to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality long-term, comprehensive and dedicated care services to the senior citizens. The Programme is implemented both at Primary and Tertiary care service levels.

Ministry of Finance’s scheme, namely, ‘Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana’ provides social security during old age and protects senior citizens against future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market condition. The scheme enables old age income security for senior citizens through provision of assured pension/return linked to the subscription amount based on Government guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has set up a toll-free (no. 14567) National Helpline, namely, Elderline, for senior citizen to provide guidance, emotional support, free information about Government Schemes and programmes, field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens. It also provides a grievance redressal platform for senior citizens. Further, ‘National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly’ has provision for domiciliary visits by rehabilitation workers for bedridden elderly and counseling to family members for care of such senior citizens.

Ministry of Rural Development, under its National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)’s Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), provides old age pension to senior citizens belonging to below poverty line (BPL) households. Under IGNOAPS, central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to senior citizens of 60-79 years of age and Rs. 500/- per month to senior citizens of 80 years or above.

There is no proposal in regard to revision in pension amount under the NSAP, including IGNOAPS, under consideration at present. The States/UTs are, however, encouraged to provide top-ups over and above the central assistance under the NSAP. Presently, these amounts range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 3000 per month per beneficiary under IGNOAPS.

This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri Pratima  Bhoumik in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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MG/RNM/DP/RK