ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAY YOJANA
Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES :
The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active aging through providing support for capacity building of State/ UT Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / local bodies and the community at large.
Details: The population of senior citizens in India is continuously increasing. The number of elderly has increased from 1.98 crore in 1951 to 7.6 crore in 2001 and to 10.38 crore in 2011. Projections show that the number of 60+ in India will grow to 14.3 crore in 2021 and 17.3 crore in 2026. Constantly increasing life expectancy means more people are now living longer. The general improvement in healthcare facilities over the years is one of the main reasons for the steady increase in the proportion of the population of senior citizens. Ensuring that they not only live long but also lead a safe, dignified, and productive life is a huge challenge.
The traditional norms and values of Indian society emphasize showing respect and taking care of the elderly. However, in recent times, the joint family system is slowly but surely witnessing a decline in society, resulting in a large number of parents being neglected by their families, leaving them emotionally, and physically and Facing a shortage of financial support. This clearly shows that aging has become a major social challenge and there is a need to address the economic and health needs of the elderly and to create a social environment that is friendly and sensitive to the emotional needs of the elderly.
Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens(IPSrC), a component of the scheme of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana(AVYAY), under which grant-in-aid is provided to
- Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organizations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens' Homes, Continuous Care Homes, etc., for providing facilities, like, shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainment free of cost to indigent senior citizens.
- Under IPSrC, there is no provision for the construction/building of Senior Citizens' Homes.
- New Senior Citizens' Homes run by Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organizations are included for support with grant-in-aid under the IPSrC for running and maintenance, on the basis of request of the respective State/Union Territory for including the concerned district as a Gap District and, thereafter, recommendation of the same State/Union Territory.
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