Cabinet approves policy for elderly

Just weeks ago, the fate of the National Policy for Older Persons was uncertain, since the Finance Ministry had ruled that the budgetary implications were too high. But in a last-minute turnaround, the policy was revived and approved by the Cabinet, promising a better life for the unprotected and marginalised older persons in society.

The policy reflects new priorities as the demographic profile of the country undergoes a change. It offers a comprehensive framework and a national perspective for developing and administering programme interventions in favour of older persons.

With people living longer and life expectancy rates showing an upward trend, the number of persons aged 60 and above has increased from 20 million in 1951 to 57 million in 1991, the year of the last Census.

Population projections for 1996-2016 indicate an elderly population of over 100 million, forming nearly nine per cent of the population. While a growing number of the 60-plus population will belong to the middle and upper-income groups, with some degree of financial security, there will be a large chunk of old persons who will find themselves economically and socially marginalised.

As urbanisation and mobility fashion a basic change in the Indian family structure from the joint family to the nuclear family, the vulnerability of older persons would get even more aggravated, observe social scientists.

The Policy was preceded by consultations that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had for over a year with academics, social workers, gerontologists and schools of social work.

It oversees a vast spectrum of needs of the elderly and visualises that the State will extend support for financial security, health care, shelter, welfare, provide protection against abuse and exploitation, allow their participation and provide services so that they can improve the quality of their lives.

Apart from the tax breaks, a number of the other areas of intervention and action strategies that are envisaged in the Policy relate to financial security. Old age pensions for those below the poverty line are expected to be expanded to cover all older persons who fall in this category. More importantly, efforts will be made to prevent delay and check abuses in disbursement.

While it remains to be seen how successful government agencies will be in implementing the Policy, the intention is that government employees and industrial workers who depend on their provident fund, gratuity and other retirement benefits should be assured prompt settlement of dues.

Pension funds will be put under a strong regulatory authority, which will allow for their investment with safeguards. Similarly, provisions have been made to ensure adequate health care and nutrition levels, with the primary health care system being strengthened to meet the health care needs of older persons.

Health insurance, including packages catering to the lower income groups, improving the housing stock with increased housing schemes for lower income segments, protection of the life and property of older persons will all come under the Policy umbrella.