Question : Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

(a) whether it is a fact that the present population of senior citizens in the country is around 130 million and is expected to reach 175 million by 2026;

(b) if so, whether nearly 8 per cent of the senior citizens suffer from some sort of disabilities related to old age related physical impairment therein;

(c) the status of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana and the support of Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) since 2017, State-wise; and

(d) the time by which all elderly economically weaker people with special needs in the country will be covered under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a): As per Census 2011, population of Senior Citizens (people aged 60 years and above) is 10.38 crore in the country. The projected population of Senior Citizens aged 60+ years of the country for 2026 (as on 01st March) is expected to be 17.32 crore, as per the report of Technical Group on Population Projections constituted by the National Commission on Population.

(b): As per Census 2011, the number of senior citizens suffering from any disability in their old age is 53,76,619 which is approximately 5.18 percent of total population of senior citizens (10.38 crore).
(c): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has successfully launched the ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)’ on 01.04.2017 with the objective to provide with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in the bodily functions to the senior citizens belonging to BPL category who are suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities. Under the Scheme, assisted living devices such as Walking Sticks, Elbow Crutches, Walkers/ Crutches, Tripods/ Quadpods, Hearing Aids, Wheelchairs, Artificial Dentures, Spectacles are provided free of cost to the targeted group. The Scheme is being implemented by the “Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)” under the administrative control of this Ministry, as a sole implementing agency. Since inception of the Scheme, 70 distribution camps have been organised benefitting 69516 senior citizens belonging to BPL Category till date. The State/UT wise number of beneficiaries is at Annexure.
(d): Implementation of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is a continuous process, it is not feasible to indicate a definite time period.
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