New Delhi: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India. This scheme recognizes and appreciates the valuable contributions made by the elderly to society and seeks to ensure their well-being and social inclusion. The National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrc) has been revamped and renamed the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), and it was incorporated into the scheme in April 2021.
Under the umbrella scheme, Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), the Integrated Program for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides financial assistance to eligible organizations for the operation and maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes/Continuous Care Homes. The aim is to improve the quality of life for senior citizens, especially those who are indigent, by providing basic amenities, and entertainment opportunities, and promoting productive and active aging.
The achievements under IPSrC are significant. Currently, there are a total of 552 Senior Citizen Homes, 14 Continuous Care Homes, 19 mobile Medicare units, and 5 physiotherapy clinics that are being supported and maintained by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the country. Approximately 150,000 beneficiaries are residing in these Senior Citizen Homes, and 361 districts across the country have been covered. Over the past three financial years, a total of Rs. 288.08 crore in grants have been released, benefiting 363,570 individuals.
Another component of the AVYAY Scheme is the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), which aims to provide eligible senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities or infirmities with assisted living devices. These devices help restore near normalcy in their bodily functions and overcome disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth, and locomotor disabilities. Beneficiaries of this scheme must meet the financial criteria of either belonging to the ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) category or having a monthly income of up to Rs. 15,000 (Rupees Fifteen Thousand).
The achievements under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) are noteworthy. Various implementing agencies have organized a total of 269 camps to date, benefiting over 400,000 individuals. During the past three financial years, a total amount of Rs. 140.34 crore has been released, and 848,841 devices have been distributed to 157,514 beneficiaries in 130 camps.
A national helpline called Elderline has been established to further support senior citizens. This toll-free helpline number, 14567, was launched on October 1, 2021, to provide free information, guidance, emotional support, and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues. Elderline operates from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, and is active in 31 states and union territories. The amount of Rs. 82.68 crore has been allocated to the Elderline scheme during the past three financial years.
