- The Right to Equalityis guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right while the social security is the concurrent responsibility of the Central and state government.
- The government’s duties towards the senior citizens is provided under the articles in Part IV of the constitution, which corresponds to the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Though these provisions cannot be enforced by a court of law as per Article 37, they are the basis upon which any legislation is drafted.
- Article 41of the Constitution secured the rights of the senior citizens to employment, education and public assistance. It says that the state must uphold the rights in cases of disability, old age or sickness.
- Article 46states that the educational and economic rights of the senior citizens must be secured by the government.
- Article 47asserts that the state must raise the level of nutrition and standard of living and to improve the public health of the people
National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011:
- The policy aims to Mainstream senior citizens’ concerns, especially older women, and bring them into the national development debate.
- Promote income security, homecare services, old-age pension, health insurance schemes, housing and other programmes/services
- Promote the care of senior citizens and consider institutional care as the last resort
- Ensure inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society that recognises senior citizens’ rights and ensures their full participation
- Distinguish senior citizens as the nation’s asset
- Promote long-term savings instruments and credit activities for rural and urban areas
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Amendment Bill 2019
- The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 amends the 2007 Act which protects all senior citizens and parents including those who are neglected and are unable to support themselves.
- The Bill expands the scope of the 2007 Act and adds certain provisions for their wellbeing and safety.
- Definition of “children” has been expanded to include daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Even daughter-in-law and son-in-law of senior citizens would be responsible to take care of them.
- Seeks to increase the jail term for negligent children, broaden responsibility beyond biological children and grandchildren and expand the definition of maintenance to include safety and security. This law will ultimately safeguard the rights of those elderly who have seen abuse and help them pursue legal action.
- According to the Act, the state governments should set up Maintenance Tribunals to decide on the maintenance payable to senior citizens and parents.
- These tribunals may order children and relatives to pay a monthly maintenance fee of up to Rs. 10,000 to parents and senior citizens.
- It brings a much needed change to give senior citizens a life of dignity and respect by treating it as their right.
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
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- The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PNVVY) was launched in May 2017 to provide social security during old age. This is a simplified version of the VPBY and will be implemented by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
- Under the scheme, on payment of an initial lump sum amount ranging from Rs 1,50,000 for a minimum pension of Rs 1000 per month to a maximum of Rs 7,50,000/- for a maximum pension of Rs 5,000 per month, subscribers will get an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum payable monthly/quarterly/half-yearly/annually.
Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY)
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- This scheme is run by the Ministry of Finance. The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) was first launched in 2003 and then relaunched in 2014. Both are social security schemes for senior citizens intended to give an assured minimum pension on a guaranteed minimum return on the subscription amount.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)
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- This scheme is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This is a central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. The fund was notified in the year 2016. All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, PPF and EPF are to be transferred to this fund.
Vayoshreshtha Samman
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- Conferred as a National award, and given to eminent senior citizens & institutions under various categories for their contributions on International day of older persons on 1st october.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
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- The Ministry of Rural Development runs the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) that extends social assistance for poor households for the aged, widows, disabled, and in cases of death where the breadwinner has passed away.
Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)
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- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is a nodal agency for the welfare of elderly people. The main objective of the scheme is to improve the quality of life of older persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities, etc.
