Govt set to announce new policy for elder persons
4 Oct 2014 6:25 AM IST
According to social justice and empowerment secretary Sudhir Bhargava the draft of National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 is almost ready to be introduced in the cabinet for approval. The changing demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of the senior citizens, over the last decade has let the NDA government to re-launch the National Policy for Older Persons, 1999.
While talking to Millennium Post on the sidelines of an award function for elders, social justice and empowerment secretary Sudhir Bhargava said, ‘The draft of a National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 has been prepared after the submission of report by Mohini Giri Committee. The outline of the new policy has been prepared by the ministry after consultations with states and other stakeholders, including civil society, experts on ageing and senior citizens’ associations among others.’ Bhargava also informed that views of the public were also invited by uploading the draft policy on the ministry’s website.
Apart from other benefits such as health insurance for older persons, the new draft policy also talks about raising the retirement age due to increase in the longevity.
The new draft policy also talks about providing nutritional as well hygienic food for the senior citizens living in old age homes or any other shelter houses meant for them, the senior official said.
If the draft policy is approved in totality by the government, a National Council for Senior Citizens would be set up which will be constituted by the minister for social justice and empowerment. With tenure of five years, the council will monitor the implementation of the policy and advise the government on concerns of senior citizens. A similar body would be established in every state with the concerned minister heading the state council for senior citizens.
While answering a question on which elements have been adopted from the older version in the new draft policy, Bhargava said, ‘The present government is supporting the policies of the ex government. It has only accelerated the pace. The base is already there. We need to refine the 1999 policy for older persons.’ Though views have been invited from public on the draft, there is a broad consensus that there should be a focus on rural poor, especially women. There is also consensus on the point that the policy needs to look into ways of improving the quality of senior citizens’ life using technology and also on imparting skills to them to increase their employability.
According to the 2011 census, the population of senior citizen in the country is 10.38 crore, which is
about 8.6 per cent of the total population in the country.
While talking to Millennium Post on the sidelines of an award function for elders, social justice and empowerment secretary Sudhir Bhargava said, ‘The draft of a National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 has been prepared after the submission of report by Mohini Giri Committee. The outline of the new policy has been prepared by the ministry after consultations with states and other stakeholders, including civil society, experts on ageing and senior citizens’ associations among others.’ Bhargava also informed that views of the public were also invited by uploading the draft policy on the ministry’s website.
Apart from other benefits such as health insurance for older persons, the new draft policy also talks about raising the retirement age due to increase in the longevity.
The new draft policy also talks about providing nutritional as well hygienic food for the senior citizens living in old age homes or any other shelter houses meant for them, the senior official said.
If the draft policy is approved in totality by the government, a National Council for Senior Citizens would be set up which will be constituted by the minister for social justice and empowerment. With tenure of five years, the council will monitor the implementation of the policy and advise the government on concerns of senior citizens. A similar body would be established in every state with the concerned minister heading the state council for senior citizens.
While answering a question on which elements have been adopted from the older version in the new draft policy, Bhargava said, ‘The present government is supporting the policies of the ex government. It has only accelerated the pace. The base is already there. We need to refine the 1999 policy for older persons.’ Though views have been invited from public on the draft, there is a broad consensus that there should be a focus on rural poor, especially women. There is also consensus on the point that the policy needs to look into ways of improving the quality of senior citizens’ life using technology and also on imparting skills to them to increase their employability.
According to the 2011 census, the population of senior citizen in the country is 10.38 crore, which is
about 8.6 per cent of the total population in the country.
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