Question : UNIFORMITY IN AGE FOR SENIOR CITIZEN

(a) whether the age of 55 years has been fixed for joining senior citizen insurance scheme as announced in the budget;

(b) if so, whether the Railways provide concession to the citizens of 60 years age by considering them as senior citizens;

(c) if so, whether other departments are providing concession to senior citizens who are 65 years of age;

(d) if so, whether the Government propose to bring uniformity in matter of age for senior citizen;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY IN SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI NAGMANI)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Yes, Sir.

(c) The details of concessions/benefits given to Senior Citizens aged 65 years and above by the various Ministries/Departments concerned are at Annexure.

(d) The Government in its National Policy on Older Persons recognizes the demographic trend of enhanced life expectancy at the age of 60 at which age all persons are distinguished from other age groups as Senior Citizens.

(e) & (f) Does not arise.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (C) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1533 FOR 31.07-2003 BY SHRI MANIBHAI RAMJIBHAI CHOUDHRI, MP(LS)

Sl. No.	Name of the Ministry/Department	Facilities/Benefits given to Senior Citizens	Minimum Age
1.	Ministry of Rural Development	1.	National Old Age Pension Scheme (Scheme has	65 years65 years	been transferred to the State Sectors w.e.f. 2002-03)	2.	Annapurna Scheme, (Scheme has been transferred	to the State Sectors w.e.f. 2002-03)
2	Ministry of Finance	1.	Section 88 of Finance Act, 1992, providing	65 years	income tax rebate.	2.	Exclusion from `One by Six` scheme for filing	65 years	the Income Tax Return under proviso Section 139(1).	3.	Deduction in respect of medical insurance	65 years	premia under Section 80 D	4.	Higher rates of interest on saving schemes	65 years	of Senior Citizens.	5. Varishta Pension Bima Yojana	65 years
3	Ministry of Civil Aviation	1.	Indian Airlines/Jet Airways providing 50	65 years	per cent discount on basic fare for all domestic	flights in Economy Class.
4.	Ministry of Communications	1.	Telephone connection given on priority	65 years	to senior citizens.