Growing Number of Senior Citizens

The number of senior citizens was 7.7 crores as per 2001 census. The projected population aged 60+ for the years 2011 and 2021 (as on 1st March) as per the May 2006 Report of the Technical Group on Population projections constituted by the National Commission on Population published by the Office of Registrar General of India, is 9.85 crores and 14.32 crores respectively.

The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999. Keeping in view the changing demography of the senior citizens in the country, the Ministry constituted a Committee under the Chairpersonship of Dr. V. Mohini Giri on 28.1.2010 to assess the present status of various issues concerning senior citizens and draft a new National Policy on Older Persons. The Committee has submitted the draft National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 which inter-alia, accords priority to the needs of senior citizens aged 80 years and above, elderly women, and the rural poor. Some of the salient policy objectives are to:

• Mainstream the concerns of senior citizens especially older women and bring them into national development debate;

• Promote income security, homecare services, old age pension, healthcare insurance schemes, housing and other programmes/ services;

• Promote care of senior citizens within the family and to consider institutional care as a last resort;

• Work towards an inclusive, barrier free and age friendly society;

• Recognise senior citizens as a valuable resource for the country, protect their rights and ensure their full participation in society;

• Promote long term savings instruments and credit activities in both rural and urban areas;

• Encourage employment in income generating activities after superannuation;

• Support organizations that provide conseling, career guidance and training services.

The draft National Policy was circulated to State Governments seeking their comments. The Policy was also placed on the website of this Ministry for information of the general public and feedback, if any. The draft Policy will be finalized after the process of consultation with Central Ministries/Departments and other stakeholders is completed.