Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the safe housing for the elderly is becoming a major concern in Indian cities;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the policy adopted by the Union Government to provide safe housing to the elderly in cities; and
(d) the success achieved so far in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to (d): ‘Land and Colonisation’ are State subjects and therefore it is the responsibility of State Government and therefore to provide safe housing for the elderly. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has however, enacted Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MWPSC Act), 2007 mandating
State Governments to establish and maintain such number of Old Age Homes at accessible places, as it may deem necessary, in a phased manner, beginning with at least one in each district to accommodate a minimum of one hundred fifty senior citizens who are indigent.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) with provision for grants for running and maintenance of Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, Mobile Medicare Units etc. The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Older Persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medicate care and entertainments opportunities etc. In addition, under recently launched Housing for All (urban) Scheme, priority has been given to senior citizens in allotment of houses on ground/lower floors.
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