Question : MAINTENANCE AND WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS ACT,2007

(a) whether till date only seven States have notified the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act,2007 and only one State has set up a maintenance tribunal;

(b) if so, action taken to ensure implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act,2007 by all the States and Union territories without fail;

(c) the total population of senior citizens in the country and number of them living below poverty line;and

(d) the number of old age homes together with their locations being operated by the Government and details of facilities available therein and steps taken to enhance/improve the existing facilities?

MINISTER OE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ANP EMPOWERMENT(SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)

(a) & (b) So far,16 States and 3 Union Territories have notified the Act.Implementation of the Act falls within the purview of the State Governments.

(c): As per the Census 2001,the population of the senior citizens aged 60 years and above is 7,66,22,321.No specific data is available with regard to number of senior citizens living below poverty line.

(d): The Central Government does not operate any old age home directly.

However,this Ministry provides financial assistance to non-governmental organizations under the scheme `Integrated Programme for older Persons` for running 463 old age homes, which offer shelter,food,medical assistance and recreational facilities to its inmates.The scheme has since been revised w.e.f. 1,4.2008 to enhance the existing facilities.