This Ministry provides financial assistance to NGOs/ Voluntary organisations etc. for running and maintenance of senior citizen homes (old age homes) under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana. The norms / guidelines for the scheme are at Annexure I.

State/ UT wise details, including Assam, regarding number of Senior Citizen Homes assisted, grant in aid released and no. of beneficiaries are at Annexure-II.

The monitoring of implementation of the Scheme is ensured through various mechanisms such as regular progress reports on the e-Anudaan portal, physical inspections by Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), online monitoring of performance through CCTV cameras and website of implementing agencies.

Annexure-I

Standards Norms for Old age homes

1. Land- The land for the old age home should be adequate to comply with the Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) as prescribed by the relevant urban body/State Government. In the case of semi-urban/rural areas, the State Government shall provide adequate land for setting up of an old age home of requisite capacity such that there is adequate land for recreation, gardening, further expansion etc.
2. Living Space -The old age home shall have minimum area per resident as per the following norms:

(i) Area of bedroom/dormitory per resident (7.5 sq.mtr)

(ii) There shall be a separate bed for each resident

(iii) There shall be hygienic toilet and bath facilities @ one per 10 residents

(iv) The living area or carpet area per resident i.e. Including (i) above plus ancillary areas like kitchen, dining hall, recreation room, medical room etc. but excluding verandahs, corridors etc. (12 sq. mtr)

3. Facilities - Every institution being funded under this scheme shall have further the following facilities:

(i) Residential area comprising rooms/dormitories-separately for men and women;

(ii) Adequate Safe drinking water and for ancillary purposes

(iii) Electricity, fans and heating arrangement for residents (as necessary);

(iv) Kitchen-cum-store and office;

(v) Dining hall;

(vi) Recreation facilities, television, newspaper and an adequate collection of books;

(vii) Activities for keeping the residents productively occupied;

(viii) First aid, sick bay and primary healthcare facilities.

(ix) Should be barrier-free with provision of ramps and handrails, and where necessary, lifts etc.

4. Operational Standards: Following minimum standards shall be followed by the implementing agencies for the projects under the Scheme:

1. Nutrition – adequate quantity, good quality, variety in food stuff (as per local conditions) containing an average of 1700 calories and 50 grams protein to be provided to the beneficiaries, every day.
2. Medical facilities/ Medicare- The project should have first aid kit (as advised by Doctor), glucometer, BP monitoring machine, weighing machine and medicines, as prescribed by a Doctor. As far as possible, the residence of the Doctor should be near the project. Regular Health Camps to be organized by implementing agencies in coordination with the District Administration. Arrangements is required to be made with the nearest Government hospital for emergency medical care
3. Recreation – At each centre the implementing agency must provide Books, 3-4 Magazines, 2-3 newspapers (in regional/ local language), Outings at nearby places (2 in a month)- religious/ cultural, Games like caroms, chess, cards, one cable connection, one computer with internet connection. All projects should have a separate room for reading for the residents.
4. Implementing agencies shall ensure that the services of minimum staff as prescribed in the Scheme are in available in each project.
5. Security- necessary security arrangements to be made in the projects by the implementing agencies. Arrangement is required to be made with the nearest Police Station for security requirements.
6. Clothing – Keeping in view local climate, weather conditions and traditional norms all the residents must be provided with 4 pairs of clothing in a year.
7. Rooms – Properly ventilated rooms with sufficient space between the beds of the beneficiaries for their easy movement. Provision for storage of the belongings of the beneficiaries should be available in the homes. Floors should be anti-slippery. For destitute couples separate room may be provided as far as possible.
8. Bathrooms and toilets –Each project should have separate toilets for females and males. There should be at least one toilet with western style fixed / removable commodes. Each Home should have ramp facilities and railings for easy access to the residents at bathrooms and toilets, wherever required. Bathrooms and toilets must have anti-slippery tiles and railings for hand support.
9. Hygiene and Sanitation- All the rooms, veranda/ courtyard and kitchen must be cleaned at least 2 times a day. Bathrooms and toilets must be cleaned at least 3 times a day. Disinfectants must be used for infection control and ensure a sanitized environment. Hand washing facilities are prominently located. Hygiene measures (cleanliness of rooms, mosquito control measures) and waste segregation needs to be followed.

5. Monitoring methodology:-

(i)   Progress reports on the portal

(ii)  Inspections carried out by representatives of the Project Monitoring unit (PMU).

(iii) Observation of performance through live tracking of projects (CCTV)/Web portal of the Department/ Website of implementing agencies.

4. Monthly monitoring through Project Management Committee at the level of Joint Secretary and Half yearly progress monitoring through Steering Committee;

5. Annual progress monitoring by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

(vi) Third party evaluation may be conducted on regular intervals through a reputed Agency working in the field of ageing in accordance with Government of India instructions issued from time to time. The Third Party will be selected by the Plan/ Statistics Division of the Ministry as per the General Financial Rules.

(vi) The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and NISD would formulate and establish any further monitoring mechanisms for effective implementation of various activities under the Scheme.

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

Annexure-II

 (Amount in Rupees)

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MG/DKP/MPW/RK