What are the main features of elderly population of India?
Ans. The profile of the elderly population indicates that:
- a majority of them are in rural areas;
- feminization of the elderly population; and
- increase in the number of Oldest-old persons above 80 years and
- a large percentage (30%) of the elderly are below the poverty line.
- Currently in 2011 the share is 8.30 %, which is likely to be 12.40% in 2026.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007
What are the important features of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007?
- providing need-based maintenance to the parents/grand parents from their children.
- Tribunals will be set up for the purpose of settling the maintenance claims of the parents in a time bound manner.
- Lawyers are barred from participating in the proceedings of the Tribunals at any stage.
- provisions like protection of life and property of senior citizens, better medical facilities, setting up of old age homes in every district, etc.
- The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and it applies also to the citizens of India outside India.
- The Act defines "children" as son, daughter, grandson and granddaughter who are not minor.
- The "Maintenance" includes provision for food, clothing, residence and medical attendance and treatment;
- A "senior citizen" means any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or above;
Ans. An application for maintenance may be made by
- a senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be; or
- if he is incapable, by any other person or organization authorized by him; or
- the Tribunal may take cognizance suo motu.
Ans. An application filed under sub-section (2) for the monthly allowance for the maintenance and expenses for proceeding shall be disposed of within ninety days from the date of the service of notice of the application to such person. However, the Tribunal may extend the said period, once for a maximum period of thirty days in exceptional circumstances for reasons to be recorded in writing.
What is the monitoring mechanism for implementation of the Act by the States?
Ans. The Act has been enacted in pursuance of the provisions of Article 41 read with Entry 23 of the Concurrent List (Schedule VII) of the Constitution of India. State Governments are required to notify the Act and frame Rules for implementing the provisions of the Act.
However, Section 30 of the Act enables the Central Government to give directions to State Governments for carrying into execution of the provisions of the Act. Further, Section 31 of the Act provides for periodic review and monitoring of the progress of implementation of the Act by the State Governments. The Ministry will act in accordance with these provisions to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Act by the States.
The State Government are required to constitute for each Subdivision one or more Tribunals as per the need within a period of six months from the date of the commencement of this Act.
What are the provisions about revocation of will?
Ans. As per the provision of Act, a senior citizen can seek to revoke any property, which has been transferred in favour of children/relative on the condition that such children/relative would provide maintenance to him but are not providing the same. The tribunals are empowered to declare such transfers as void on the applications of such parent.
Is any penalty/imprisonment is for the children who abandon their parents?
Ans. Yes, imprisonment for a term of 3 months and a fine upto Rs. 5000/- or both on the children.
What are the provisions for medical care of senior citizens provided in the Act?
Ans. The Act provides that State Government shall ensure that, -
- the Government hospitals or hospitals funded fully or partially by the Government shall provide beds for all senior citizens as far as possible;
- separate queues be arranged for senior citizens;
- facility for treatment of chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases is expanded for senior citizens;
- research activities for chronic elderly diseases and ageing is expanded;
- there are earmarked facilities for geriatric patients in every district hospital duly headed by a medical officer with experience in geriatric care.
Grant-in-Aid Schemes
What are the schemes under which financial assistance is provided for welfare of the older persons?
Ans- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment supports programmes for the welfare of the elderly through financial assistance to Non Governmental Organizations under the two schemes detailed below:-
- Scheme of "Integrated Programme for Older Persons", through which financial assistance up to 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons.
- Scheme of Assistance for construction of old age homes for older persons under which funds are provided for construction of old age homes. The Scheme is presently under formulation.
Which agencies are eligible for obtaining grant-in aid under the Integrated Programme for Older Persons for implementing different projects?
Ans. Under the scheme, assistance is sanctioned to the following agencies subject to terms and conditions laid down by this Ministry:-
- 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.
- In exceptional case, financial assistance under the Scheme shall also be provided to State Governments/Union Territory administrations.
What are the projects admissible for assistance under the Integrated Programme for Older Persons?
Ans.
- Maintenance of Old Age homes.
- Running of Multi Service Centres for Older Persons
- Maintenance of Mobile Medicare Units.
- Running of Day Care Centres for Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Patients
- Physiotherapy clinics for older persons
- Disability and hearing aids for older persons
- Mental health care and Specialized care for the Older Persons
- Help-lines and Counselling Centres for older persons
- Sensitising programmes for children particularly in Schools and Colleges
- Regional Resource and Training Centres
- Awareness Generation Programmes for Older Persons and Care Givers.
- Formation of Vridha Sanghas/Senior Citizen Associations.
Any other activity, which is considered suitable to meet the objective of the scheme.
Ans. Yes. The Ministry has revised the 'Integrated Programme for Older Persons' by enhancing the quantum of assistance in line with the increase in CPI. Further, several new components like Helplines, Physiotherapy centres, mental healthcare facilities, etc. The revised Scheme comes into effect from 1.4.2008.
In addition, the Ministry is also in the process of converting its non-plan scheme of assistance for construction of old age homes into a plan scheme.
Schemes of Other Ministries
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the following facilities for senior citizens:
i. Separate queues for older persons in government hospitals
ii. Geriatric clinics in several government hospitals
The Ministry of Rural Development
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under which Central assistance @ Rs. 200 per month is provided as old age pension to persons above 65 years who belong to a household below the poverty line. This in turn is meant to be supplemented by at least an equivalent contribution by the states, so that each beneficiary gets at least Rs. 400/- per month as pension. During 2008-09, about 155 lakh persons got the benefit of old age pension.
Annapurna scheme:
- Senior citizen eligible for pension under NOAPS but are not getting the pension are covered under this scheme
- 10 kg of foodgrain per person free of cost is supplied.
i. Separate ticket counters for senior citizens at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres, if the average demand per shift is more than 120 tickets
ii. 25 per cent and 50 per cent concession in rail fare for male and female senior citizens respectively
The Ministry of Finance provides income tax benefits to senior citizens 65 years of age and above:
i. Income tax exemption for income up to certain higher limits than regular limit.
ii. Deduction of Rs 20,000 for medical insurance premium under Section 80D
iii. Deduction of the amount incurred or Rs 60,000, whichever is less, for medical treatment (specified
diseases in Rule 11DD of the Income Tax Rules) under Section DDB
Ministry of Civil Aviation provides concession up to 50 per cent for male senior citizens aged 65 years
and above, and female senior citizens aged 63 years and above in air fares on the national carrier, Air
India.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organises the International Day of Older Persons every
year on 1st October to increase awareness about ageing.
No comments:
Post a Comment