Question : Old Age Homes

(a) the number of Old Age Homes functioning in the country along with the number of senior citizens lodged therein, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government provides financial assistance to the State Governments /Non -Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for construction and maintenance of Old Age Homes;

(c) if so, the details of grants/financial assistance provided and the number of Old Age Homes opened during the last three years, agency and State/ UT-wise;

(d) the number of proposals received from the State Governments/NGOs for construction/maintenance of Old Age Homes and the action taken by the Government on the said proposals during the said period;

(e) whether the Government has received reports of irregularities under the scheme, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, State/NGO-wise; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to improve the condition and facilities in Old Age Homes across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) to (c): This data is not centrally maintained in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. However, this Ministry is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) under which grants-in-aid are given for running and maintenance of inter alia, Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, Mobile Medicare Units, Multi Facility Care Centre for Older Widows etc. 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. Implementing agencies eligible for assistance under the Scheme are Panchayati Raj Institutions/Local Bodies, Non-Governmental Voluntary Organizations, Institutions or Organizations set up by Government as autonomous/subordinate bodies, Government Recognized Educational Institutions, Charitable Hospitals/Nursing Homes, and Recognized Youth Organizations such as Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sanghathan (NYKS) and in exceptional cases the State Governments/UT administrations.
Total 428 projects of the Old Age Homes, including 47 projects sanctioned during last three years, are receiving grant under the Scheme of IPOP.
The Scheme of IPOP does not have provisions for providing financial assistance for construction of Old Age Homes, etc. However, the details of financial assistance provided for running and maintenance of Old Age Homes during last 3 years and number of beneficiaries lodged therein, is at Annexure-I.
(d): This Ministry has started online processing of Grant-in-Aid proposals of the implementing agencies from the F.Y. 2014-15. However, no proposal has been received through online for construction of Old Age Homes from State/ UT Governments/ NGOs, etc. Details of proposals received from the State/UT Governments for running and maintenance of Old Age Homes, is at Annexure-II.
The release of grant in aid is an ongoing process. Proposals recommended by the State Governments Grant-in-aid Committee are processed for release of grant as per the norms and guidelines of the Scheme, subject to completeness of proposals in all respects and availability of funds etc.
(e) and (f): On the basis of the inspection reports received from the inspecting teams, necessary corrective action have been taken and Show Cause Notices were issued to the 58 NGOs/VOs for the deficiencies reported in their functioning. In serious cases of misuse of funds or malfunctioning or non-functioning of the projects, such NGOs/ VOs have been blacklisted or further grant in aid to projects have been stopped, after following the due procedure in this regard. Details of NGOs blacklisted/ Grant stopped is at Annexure-III.
Under the Scheme, the grants-in-aid is released only on the basis of recommendation of State Government/UT Administration along with satisfactory Inspection Report of the project. The prime responsibility for inspection of the projects lies with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The performance of the Old Age Homes is monitored from time to time through, inter alia, inspections, periodic field visits of nodal officers of the Ministry. Further, to improve the facilities in the Old Age Homes, cost norms of the Scheme have been revised upwards w.e.f. 1.4.2015, ranging from 70% to 110%, including the cost norms relating to Old Age Home effectively increased to 83.9%.