SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
MINISTRY ALLOCATES RS.18.94 CRORE FOR THE WELFARE
OF OLDER PERSONS
The Ministry
of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated 18.94 crore
rupees for the welfare of older persons during the current financial
year. The Ministry is running two welfare schemes for the welfare
of the aged persons, namely, (1) An Integrated Programme for Older
Persons and (2) Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Voluntary
Organizations/ Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/
Multi service Centresfor Older Persons. Rs.17.80 crore have been
earmarked for the Integrated Programme for Older Persons scheme
which aims at empowering and improving the quality of life of
older persons. Under this Scheme the Ministry provides to non-governmental
organizations 90% of financial requirement through grant-in-aid
or assistance for the maintenance of old age homes, day-care centers,
mobile medicare units and non-institutional service centers for
older persons. The remaining 10% of the financial burden is required
to be met by the NGOs. At present as many as 527 NGOs are running
331 old age homes, 436 day-care centres, 74 mobile medicare units
and two non-institutional service centers under the scheme all
over the country. Rs.1.14 crore have been allocated for the second
scheme to provide assistance to Panchayati Raj institutions, voluntary
organizations and self-help groups for construction of old-age
homes and multi service centres. Only those non-governmental organisations
are eligible for financial assistance whose proposals are recommended
by the concerned state governments/UT administrations. In both
the schemes cent percent budget allocation was utilised during
2001-02.
With better medical
care and improved nutrition, life expectancy has improved resulting
in increasing population of older persons. From only 12 million
persons 60+ in India in 1901, their number crossed 20 million
in 1950 and 57 million in 1991. Population projection for 1996-2016
made by the Technical Group on Population Projections (1996) indicate
that the 100 million mark is expected to be reached in 2013.
The traditional Indian
family structure provided adequate mechanism for meeting the needs
of older people. But industralisation, urbanisation and exposure
to life styles in developed countries have brought about changes
in value structures regarding the care of aged persons. The National
Policy of Older Persons announced in 1999 assures that the older
persons would not live unprotected, ignored or marginalised lives
but would be helped to live the last phase of their life with
purpose, dignity and in peace.
