The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) for senior citizens. AVYAY has the following components/ programmes for providing services to senior citizens:-

 

(i) Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)- Grant in aid is provided to implementing agencies for maintenance of senior citizen homes, continuous care homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainment are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens living in Sr. Citizen homes.

 

2. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)- BPL senior citizens who suffer from age related disabilities/ infirmities are provided free of cost assisted devices. w.e.f. 01.04.2020. Special items like wheelchairs with commode, silicon foam cushion etc. are also provided under the Scheme, besides generic items like walking sticks, elbow crutches, hearing aid etc.

 

(iii) Promoting Silver Economy – An open invitation is given on the portal namely Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) through which entrepreneurs are encouraged to think about the problems of the elderly and come out with innovative solutions. Under this scheme, an amount upto Rs. 1 crore as financial assistance is provided in the form of maximum 49% equity participation.

 

4. Elderline- Help line for Sr Citizens on Toll free number 14567 launched for grievance redressal of Senior Citizens and to generate awareness about the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007 and Government Policies. The Elderline functions from 8 am to 8 pm all 7 days of the week.

 

Under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), Ministry of Rural Development provides a monthly pension of Rs.200/- to persons in the age group of 60 to 79 years belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The amount of pension is increased to Rs. 500/- per month in respect of these beneficiaries on reaching the age of 80 years and above.

The central government releases the funds to States/UTs for implementation of NSAP Schemes. Funds are released to States/UTs who then disburse the pensions/ financial assistance to the beneficiaries identified by them.

The number of beneficiaries under IPSrC, RVY and IGNOAPS in Supaul, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and East Champaran districts of Bihar, Hooghly district of West Bengal and Sonipat district of Haryana are given at Annexure.

Annexure

 

 

Number of beneficiaries under Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

 

State	District	IPSrC #	RVY ##	IGNOAPS **
Bihar	Supaul	0	0	85,068
	Sheohar	0	0	37,928
	Sitamarhi	0	759	1,44,663
	East Champaran	0	0	2,08,717
Haryana	Sonipat	50	219	22,407
West Bengal	Hooghly	25	0	58,158

 

# IPSrC – No. of beneficiaries are the senior citizens residing in the senior citizen homes

 

## RVY – No. of beneficiaries are the senior citizens who have received assisted living devices

 

** Total no. of beneficiaries provided assistance under IGNOAPS

 

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

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MG/DKP/MPW/RK

(Release ID: 1883128)