Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It was formerly known as the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrc). The scheme was renamed and relaunched as Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana in April 2021.
AVYAY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with an objective to empower senior citizens in India, recognising their invaluable contribution to society. The aim of AVYAY is to foster a sense of belonging among the elderly and ensure their active participation in various walks of life.
Key Components of AVYAY
The AVYAY comprises two main components – the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
IPSrC extends financial assistance to eligible organisations for maintaining and operating Senior Citizen Homes. The goal is to enhance the quality of life of senior citizens, particularly those from financially weaker backgrounds, by providing them with basic amenities.
RVY, on the other hand, caters to senior citizens facing age-related disabilities. It provides assisted living devices that help restore near-normal bodily functions, thus addressing issues like low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth, and locomotor disabilities.
Financial Criteria for AVYAY Beneficiaries
The financial criteria for beneficiaries under the AVYAY state that either the senior citizen must fall under the ‘Below Poverty Line’ category, or their monthly income should not exceed Rs. 15,000.
Impacts and Achievements of AVYAY
Under AVYAY, nearly 150,000 beneficiaries are presently residing in Senior Citizen homes. The scheme has covered 361 districts across the nation, and over the past three financial years, a total of Rs. 288.08 crore in aid has been released, benefiting around 363,570 individuals.
Under the RVY component of this scheme, a total of 269 camps have been organised with over 400,000 beneficiaries. In the last three financial years, Rs. 140.34 crore has been disbursed, and a whopping 848,841 devices have been distributed to 157,514 beneficiaries in 130 camps.
Significance of AVYAY
AVYAY reflects the Indian government’s commitment to promote the well-being and empowerment of senior citizens. By addressing their financial, healthcare, and social needs, the scheme strives to create an environment where senior citizens can live with dignity, respect, and fulfillment.
Other Initiatives Related to Elderly in India
In addition to AVYAY, the Indian government has launched other initiatives focused on elderly care. These include the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), National Helpline for Senior Citizens (14567), Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE), National Social Assistance Programme, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), SAMPANN Project, and SACRED Portal for Elderly.