India
Ahead of budget, survey finds elderly want FM to devise schemes that meaningfully engage the retired | India News
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NEW DELHI: With the government preparing to present the Union budget on February 1, a new survey that tries to capture the expectations of the elderly shows that over half of the 5,000 surveyed sought greater focus on schemes that can help engage retired persons to use their knowledge and experience purposefully.
Old age pension remains a key concern among elderly, and the recommendations in the report assert the need for enhancing pensions for senior citizens.
78% of the respondents agreed that social security schemes like old age pensions are not doing well in India due to limited benefits to beneficiaries. Nearly 56 % of respondents claimed that there are insufficient provisions for the financial security of older people in India.
These findings are part of a survey titled “Role of Budgetary Provisions in Empowerment and Welfare of Elderly” during the first week of January covering around 5,000 elderly respondents (2,480 elderly from rural and 2,520 elderly from urban areas) living across 20 states and Union Territories.
As many as 45% of elderly respondents suggested that the government should prioritise healthcare and support systems for underprivileged and marginalised elderly. Also 43.5% of the respondents agreed that the overall status of social security schemes for older persons in India is not satisfactory.
Himanshu Rath, founder chairman, Agewell Foundation said, “Through elderly-friendly budgetary provisions, the government can make the lives of older persons more comfortable. Indeed, older persons need gainful engagement opportunities, participation in the mainstream, and better healthcare and support systems in old age.”
In a statement, voluntary organisation HelpAge India shared the recommendations they have submitted to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and highlighted that they have sought that there is a need to set up a special ministry for the elderly.
HelpAge India CEO, Rohit Prasad said that India with a current estimated elderly population of 140 million, should be bracing for a 20% jump in the population of the aged by 2047. “Immediate measures need to be put in place, to address their socio-economic and health needs, which require a substantial allocation of resources,” he added.
The voluntary organisation has recommended that as far as old age pensions go, the desirable monthly allowance should be Rs 3,000 per month, with the central government taking the lead in defining a basic minimum social pension floor across the country. They call for increase in the central government contribution to elderly under the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) from the current Rs 200-Rs 500, which has not been revised over the last 14 years.
Old age pension remains a key concern among elderly, and the recommendations in the report assert the need for enhancing pensions for senior citizens.
78% of the respondents agreed that social security schemes like old age pensions are not doing well in India due to limited benefits to beneficiaries. Nearly 56 % of respondents claimed that there are insufficient provisions for the financial security of older people in India.
These findings are part of a survey titled “Role of Budgetary Provisions in Empowerment and Welfare of Elderly” during the first week of January covering around 5,000 elderly respondents (2,480 elderly from rural and 2,520 elderly from urban areas) living across 20 states and Union Territories.
As many as 45% of elderly respondents suggested that the government should prioritise healthcare and support systems for underprivileged and marginalised elderly. Also 43.5% of the respondents agreed that the overall status of social security schemes for older persons in India is not satisfactory.
Himanshu Rath, founder chairman, Agewell Foundation said, “Through elderly-friendly budgetary provisions, the government can make the lives of older persons more comfortable. Indeed, older persons need gainful engagement opportunities, participation in the mainstream, and better healthcare and support systems in old age.”
In a statement, voluntary organisation HelpAge India shared the recommendations they have submitted to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and highlighted that they have sought that there is a need to set up a special ministry for the elderly.
HelpAge India CEO, Rohit Prasad said that India with a current estimated elderly population of 140 million, should be bracing for a 20% jump in the population of the aged by 2047. “Immediate measures need to be put in place, to address their socio-economic and health needs, which require a substantial allocation of resources,” he added.
The voluntary organisation has recommended that as far as old age pensions go, the desirable monthly allowance should be Rs 3,000 per month, with the central government taking the lead in defining a basic minimum social pension floor across the country. They call for increase in the central government contribution to elderly under the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) from the current Rs 200-Rs 500, which has not been revised over the last 14 years.
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