M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens
Confederation (AISCCON) & RTI Activist.
A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park,
Mira Road (East) Dist. Thane. 401107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in
To
Dt. 27-3-14.
Shri Prithviraj Chavan,
Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Mantralaya,
Mumbai-400032.
Respected Sir,
Sub:
Welfare of Elders of Maharashtra- Providing 16 Schemes at 90% cost of Ministry
of Social Justice, Delhi under their Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older
Persons, 2008 (IPOP) by spending only 10% from State/Panchayat/Municipal Funds.
Ref: Details
of the Scheme & procedures to be followed can be seen from their Web Site: www.socialjustice.nic.in
Though 90% grants are available for
above Schemes since 2008, no municipalities/panchayats of Maharashtra have
taken any action to provide any of the 16 schemes in Maharashtra, depriving
your 1.2 crore Maharashtrian Elders of these Central Schemes for welfare of
Senior Citizens. Nodal Ministry has
advised that as against Notional Allocation to Maharashtra for this purpose in
year 2008-09 of Rs 150 lakhs, only Rs 49.92 and against NA for 2009-10 of Rs 75
lakhs, only Rs 47.07 were released as per State Demand. In 2011-12, against the
N.A. of 210 lakhs, only 133.32 lakhs was released for 30 schemes by NGOs giving
benefit to only 1340 senior citizens .This is a sorry state of affairs!
Standing
Committee of Parliament on Social Justice and Empowerment in its 39th
Report of February, 14 has given the following observations and recommendations
for immediate action for welfare of Senior Citizens:-
i)
Committee is
distressed to note that no Local Bodies
have approached the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for their
proposals for providing 16 schemes like Physiotherapy Centres, Old Age Homes
etc in their areas under Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) seeking
financial assistance/grants for any scheme for welfare of senior citizens.
ii)
The Committee noted
with deep concern that with the fast changing socio-economic conditions,
disintegration of joint family system and emergence of nuclear families, the
old people are getting increasingly neglected adversely affecting their care
and dignity. It is therefore necessary that all stake holders and the community
play a proactive role in taking care of elderly.
iii)
The old age population
of our country by 2050 will grow by 55% but the population of 60+ will increase
by 326% and 80+ by 700%, which will be the fastest growing group requiring
special care. Committee therefore has recommended to put in place a robust
integrated action plan expeditiously by all stake holders and implement the
Policies laid down for welfare of elders with a definite time frame to fulfill
Nation`s Commitment to address the serious problems of senior citizens. 80+
Senior Citizens are facing increasing neglect and deprivation, poverty and
abuse and require special care.
iv)
Due to the decline in
physical ability and increasing susceptibility to diseases, the elderly need
dedicated healthcare facilities, especially the age group of 80+.
v)
Committee has
recommended that appropriate syllabus for young children in schools should be
designed to enlighten the awareness of children about great Indian Cultural
Heritage and esteem in which the elders have been held from time immemorial and
the far reaching benefits that accrue from the care and service of the elders.
We had given copy of IPOP 3 times to your office and this
was given to your Planning Cell by PA to MC. For ready reference, we enclose a
Statement indicating schemes and grants available. We also bring to your notice
that all Municipalities & Panchayats doing outstanding work for Welfare of
Senior Citizens can apply for Vayoshreshtha Award of Rs 10 lakh at the hands of President of India on every 1st
October-International Day of Older Person as per Notification dt 18-1-13 in
Gazette of India no. 15-39(30)/09-10-AG-II by Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment.
Even the Maharashtra State Policy
for Senior Citizens notified on 30-9-13, gives the following directives:
i)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has accepted the Concept of
developing ``Aged Friendly Cities`` to enable Older Persons to lead a tolerable
life. This concept will be implemented through Local Self Governing
Institutions, which will include establishing of Daycare and Dementia Centres,
transportation facilities at concessional rates to aged persons and reserving
some seats for older persons, developing parks (Nana-Nani Parks), providing
sanitation and other facilities in such parks, organizing variety entertainment
programmes and health camps such as physiotherapy, eye check-up, first aid,
blood pressure and diabetes check-up as well as health training camps in these
day care centres.
ii)
To plan Counseling Centres, Day Care Centres, Recreation Centres etc.
iii)
To provide space for Old Age Homes in residential complexes. To make the
establishment of Old Age Homes mandatory by Town Planning Department. To
provide MLA Funds for constructing Old Age Homes.
iv)
To establish special ``Senior Citizen Section`` to monitor benefits being
delivered to the concerned older persons and create ``Senior Citizen Welfare
Fund`` Committees by all municipalities.
We request you to look in to this
very important matter of welfare of elders and get provided as many facilities
as possible in each ward of all Municipalities/Panchyats in entire Maharashtra
at an early date as brought out above, treating Senior Citizens as respected
Citizens requiring strengthening of their legitimate place in the Society and
take all actions to help them to live their last phase of life with Purpose,
Dignity and Peace.
With Blessings & Best Wishes,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia)
Statement showing various schemes for Senior Citizens
and Grants admissible:
|
Sr
No
|
Facility
|
Minimum
No.
of Beneficiary.
|
Grants
Non-recurring Recurring
|
Remarks.
|
|
1
|
Maintenance
of Old Age Homes
|
25
|
1,25,000 5,42,000
|
More
for more beneficiaries.
|
|
2
|
Maintenance
of Respite Homes/Continuous Care Homes
|
25
|
120000 600000
|
-Do-
|
|
3
|
Multi
Service Centre
|
50
|
32000 374000
|
|
|
4
|
Mobile
Medicare Unit
|
400
p.m.
|
-
296000
|
|
|
5
|
Day
Care Centre for Older Persons with dementia.
|
20
|
120000 858000
|
More
for more beneficiaries.
|
|
6
|
Physiotherapy
Clinics
|
50
|
700000 236000
|
|
|
7
|
Disability
& Hearing Aids for Elderly
|
Per
Camp
|
-
160000
|
|
|
8
|
Mental
Health Care camps
|
Per
Camp
|
-
9500
|
|
|
9
|
Help
Line & Counseling
|
-
|
80000 492000
|
|
|
10
|
Sensitization
of School/College students
|
-
|
80000 307000
|
|
|
11
|
Regional
Resource & Training Centre
|
-
|
112000 663000
|
|
|
12
|
Training
of Care Givers to older persons
|
20
Trainees
|
60000 336000
|
|
|
13
|
Awareness
Projects for older persons
|
i)Monthly
Radio Programme
ii)
Street Play Min 2 p.m.
iii)Workshop,
Seminar Min 2 p.m.
|
5000p.m.
10000
per event
4000
per programme
|
|
|
14
|
Multi
Facility Centre for older widowed women
|
50
women
|
250000 672000
|
|
|
15
|
Volunteers
Bureau for older persons
|
Min
100 Placements p.a.
|
36000 108000
|
|
|
16
|
Formation
of Vridha Sanghs/Associations of Senior Citizens/Self Help Groups
|
Min.
1000 for divisional level
Min
20000 for State Level
|
50000 144000
|
|
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