Provision of Funds for Senior Citizens in 12th Plan.

M.V.Ruparelia, A 503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane-Maharashtra-401107.  E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

                                                                                          

To                                                                                                10-12-12. 

 Dr Manmohan Singh, Honorable Prime Minister of India

South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi-110101.

Mananivar Pradhan Mantri Ji,   

                                    

Sub: Draft 12^th Five Year Plan to be discussed on 27-12-12.

We, 12 crore Elders of the Country, are disappointed to see 2 page-9 paragraphs from 24.233 to 24.242 on Senior Citizens in Final Draft of 12^th Five Year Plan to be discussed on 27-12-12 in NAC. Elders of the Country look to you for making proper provisions in this Plan, you also being one of the Elders. As you are aware a National Policy was announced in 1999 after Cabinet`s approval on 13-2-99. Large number of provisions are remaining unimplemented even after 14 years due to Planning Commission & Finance Ministry not making available the required funds to various Stake Holders including States/UTs, though required to do so under para 93.  A glance at 12th Plan Final Draft to be discussed with NAC on 27-12-12 will indicate as to how much and how sincerely Government is providing funds for welfare of other weaker, vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of the Society like SC/ST/OBC/Handicaps/Disabled/Minorities but step motherly treatment is given to their Elders, who are more abused at present than so-called abused communities, more disabled & more handicapped than certified disabled & handicaps and in minority (10%).!!

Nodal Ministry had given various recommendations for inclusion in 12^th Plan after considering practical difficulties felt by them in implementing the Policy in time but only few were accepted by Working Group on Social Welfare of Planning Commission, which gave about 30 recommendations (2.8.1 to 2.8.15, 2.9.1 to 2.9.15) in October, 11. It is observed from Final Draft placed on Web Site that about 11 recommendations are taken note of out of more than 30 given by Working Group. No cognizance is taken of the following recommendations of Working Group:

i)                    2.8.3 : To increase Insurance Cover under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna to Rs 1 lakh for Senior Citizens.

ii)                  2.8.4: Provision of 1800 crore for setting more Geriatric Centres/Wards for Senior Citizens.

iii)                2.8.5: Enhancement of Pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. Many MPs have represented from time to time, the last being through Unstarred Question in Rajya Sabha vide Question no. 1853 dt 30-8-12 to increase this pension to Rs 5000 p.m. During Nationwide agitation Pension Parishad of Smt Aruna Roy, Member of NAC, Rs 2000 minimum was demanded.

iv)                2.8.7: 14 Centres for Assisted Living for rehabilitation of Elderly suffering from dementia etc.

v)                   2.8.9: Setting up of National Institute of Ageing.

vi)                2.8.11: Providing Training to Care Givers in 100 cities.

vii)              2.8.14: Free Legal Service to BPL Senior Citizens.

viii)            2.9.1: Setting up of Separate Department of Senior Citizens. At present, subject of Drug addicts is also attached. Department is understaffed.

ix)                2.9.3 to 2.9.10: These are important matters required to be reflected in Plan.

x)                  2.9.11: Weekly Programme of 1 hour on Doordarshan will go a long way to establish awareness amongst Society. Similar Provision for Private Channels also must be provided by legislation or grants.

xi)                2.9.13 to 15: Very important Provisions to be enforced and provided in Plan.

According to News, Planning Commission has turned down the proposal of Ministry Of Social Justice to provide Old Age Homes for destitute Senior Citizens at district level as Central Scheme on the plea that this involves non-recurring expenditure only and as such States have to provide funds and not the Planning Commission. In the final draft also, Planning Commission has insisted on States to provide funds for this huge work. This scheme of providing Old Age Homes for destitutes is statutorily provided in Sec 19 of Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and Rules framed there under. 150 destitutes in such Homes are to be provided from day one, nutritious & wholesome diet; adequate clothing from time to time; linens, sanitation,  hygiene, security arrangements; transport to nearby hospitals; premiums for health insurance; electricity, fans, heating arrangements during winter; recreation facilities; televisions, newspapers, books; managing staff etc. All these require recurring expenditure much more than initial non-recurring expenditure of providing Homes. Argument of Planning Commission that this involves only non-recurring expenditure is apparently not correct.

 Working Group on Social Defence constituted by Planning Commission for formulation of 11^th Plan had recommended to transfer this to Plan Head to facilitate establishment of Old Age Homes on large scale. Ministry of Social Justice had also formulated the Scheme to construct 300 such Homes at a cost of Rs 635 crore during 11 th Plan. This was not accepted by Planning Commission, though Rs 60 crore was provided in 11^th Plan Period and matter was postponed for discussion in Working Group of 12^th Plan!! Planning Commission was not interested to facilitate provision made in Statutory Act, 2007!!

Working Group of 12^th Plan examined the whole issue in depth and not only recommended funds  for generation of Awareness of this Act, 2007  but also Rs 1680 crore for assisting States to discharge their statutory duties  of providing Old Age Homes during 12^th Plan. Para 93 of National Policy, 99 also lays down that Planning Commission & Finance Ministry will facilitate budgetary provisions required for implementation of the Policy, 99. Act, 2007 is the outcome of this Policy, 99 and Planning Commission cannot deny the provision of sufficient funds even to States/UTs for this noble cause statutorily provided in Centrally Sponsored Act, 2007 for benefit of 3546.8 lakh BPL Elders of the Country. If not provided, no Homes will be constructed by States/UTs as not done since 2007 to 2012!! As repeatedly brought to your notice for last 3 years of our agitations, large number of provisions of NPOP, 99 is not implemented by stake holders & States due to unhelpful attitude of Planning Commission & Finance Ministry in not providing funds, as laid down in Policy, 99.

We request You as one of us as well as the Highest Authority of the Country to look in to this unhelpful attitude of Planning Commission and get sufficient funds provided for your 12 crore Elders in 12^th Plan.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)