The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently announced its plan to distribute 4,800 daily living aids and assistive devices to 895 senior citizens under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
About Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana
The RVY is a welfare scheme initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2017. It provides support to senior citizens who fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and suffer from age-related disabilities. Some of the common disabilities include low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities.
The RVY is a central sector scheme that receives its funding from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. This fund, established in 2016, aggregates unclaimed amounts from various savings accounts, Public Provident Funds (PPF), and Employees Provident Funds (EPF).
The Specifics of Aid
As part of the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive aids and assistive devices such as walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quad pods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures, and spectacles. The goal is to improve the quality of life and independence of senior citizens affected by physical disabilities.
According to the 2011 Census data, India’s senior citizen population stands at 10.38 crore, with over 70% residing in rural areas. A significant proportion, around 5.2%, face some form of disability related to old age.
Implementation of the Scheme
The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, implements the RVY.
Additional Schemes for Senior Citizens
In addition to the RVY, there are other schemes aimed at the welfare of elderly citizens:
1. SAMPANN Project
2. SACRED Portal for Elderly
3. Elder Line: A Toll-Free Number for Elderly
4. SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) Initiative
5. Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)
6. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
7. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
8. Vayoshreshtha
9. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007.
Each scheme has a distinct focus, whether it’s financial aid, social support, or healthcare services, to cater to the diverse needs of India’s aging population.
Conclusion
Initiatives like RVY reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and dignity of senior citizens, particularly those with disabilities. Through the provision of aid and assistive devices, these schemes play a crucial role in helping the elderly lead comfortable and independent lives.