Question : Old Age Homes

(a) the details of the progress made towards the establishment of old age homes in each of the 640 districts of the country with at least 150 persons in each home as per the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007;

(b) the details of the measures taken to generate awareness amongst the elderly towards their rights under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007;

(c) the details of the itemised break up of components that has been used to arrive at the monthly allowance upper limit of Rs. 10,000; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to encourage productive ageing and provide the elderly with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the society and if so, the details of the proposed plan thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a): Section 19 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007, directs State Governments to establish and maintain Old age homes, atleast one in each district, as it may deem necessary, for a minimum of 150 indigent senior citizens. Details of progress made by the State Governments/UT Administrations in this regard is placed at Annexure-I.
(b): To generate awareness amongst elderly regarding their rights, to promote inter-generational bonding and to enable them to lead a life of dignity, this Ministry conducts a weekly radio programme ‘Sanwarti Jaye Jeevan Ki Rahein’. Further, advertisements are periodically put up in Metro Train, Delhi; inside panels of Monorail, Mumbai; LCD/LED panels at Railway Stations; Audio announcement at Bus Stations; Audio-video spots etc. Further, under the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons, grant-in-aid is given to Institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathans, Universities/Colleges, local bodies etc. in undertaking awareness generation campaigns, namely workshops, seminars, street plays etc. about various policies and programmes for senior citizens. Apart from this, State Governments also take measures in awareness generation as given in Annexure-II.
(c): As per the Model Rules framed under the MWPSC Act, 2007, which has been adapted/adopted by the State Governments/UT Administrations, the maximum maintenance allowance of Rs. 10,000/- which a Tribunal may order the opposite party to pay shall be fixed in such a manner that it does not exceed the monthly income from all sources of the opposite party, divided by the number of persons in his family, counting the applicant or applicants also among the opposite party’s family members.
(d): National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 views life cycle as a continuum, and an important thrust of the Policy is on active and productive involvement of older persons and not just their care. Under the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons, there is provision for giving grant-in-aid for running of Volunteers Bureau for Senior Citizens in order to utilise the skills, talents and experience of the elderly for the benefit of society, and for formation of Senior Citizens Associations/Vridha Sanghas/Self-Help Groups to mobilise senior citizens, articulate their interests, promote and undertake programmes and activities for their well being.

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