Provisions for Housing for Senior Citizens.

To                                              Date: 27-3-13.

Shri Ajay Maken, Hon Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, Nirman Bhawan, R.No. 101 C,Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001.

Dear Sir, 

Sub: Non-implementation of National Policy on Older Persons, 1999.

Ref: Our representation dt 1-8-12 to your predecessor, followed by RTI Application dt 18-9-12 and letters dt 20-11-12, 5-1-13 and 18-2-13.

We welcome you as our new Minister for Ministry of Housing & Poverty Alleviation. We are aware of your dynamic actions for upliftment of the poor & weaker sections of the Society. We, 12 crore Elders of the Country look towards you for dynamic & expeditious action on various provisions pertaining to your Ministry made by Government of India in National Policy of Older Persons, 1999 notified on 13-2-99 with approval of Cabinet. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation is the apex authority of Government of India at the national level to formulate policies, sponsor and support programme, coordinate the activities of various Central Ministries, State Governments and other nodal authorities and monitor the programmes concerning all the issues of urban employment, poverty and housing in the country. In terms of Para 93 of the Policy, each Ministry is required to implement the aspects concerning them by preparing Five Year and Annual Action Plan with targets.

We, therefore, request you to issue specific instructions to States/UTs for various Provisions of NPOP, 99 pertaining to your Ministry on which no action appears to have been taken in these 14 years. We request you to take immediate action and advise the action taken.

i)                Para 48 of the Policy  lays down that Housing Schemes will earmark 10% of the houses, house sites for Elders. Elders will be given easy access to loans for purchase of houses, repairs etc.

ii)              As per para 49, layout of housing colonies will have to respond to the life style of Elders etc.

iii)            Para 50 encourages Group Housing for Elders.

iv)             Para 61expects grants in aid to voluntary organizations for providing subsidized housing to poor elders.

v)               Para 82 expects policies to encourage younger generation to co-reside with elders and to be given preference in allotment of houses, NGOs to be encouraged to provide in-house service to elders etc. There is provision for poverty alleviation of Elders in urban areas etc.

 Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)