Context: Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India. 

Need

• There has been a steady rise in the population of senior citizens in India. The number of elderly persons has increased from 1.98 crore in 1951 to 7.6 crore in 2001, and 10.38 crore in 2011.

• The projections indicate that the number of 60+ in India will increase to 14.3 crore in 2021 and 17.3 crore in 2026. A continuous increase in life expectancy means that more people are now living longer.

• General improvement in the health care facilities over the years is one of the main reasons for the continuing increase in the proportion of senior citizens. Ensuring that they not merely live longer, but lead a secure, dignified, and productive life is a major challenge.

About Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)

• National Action Plan for Senior Citizen (NAPSrc) had been revamped, renamed as Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).

• It is a Central Sector Scheme.

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is the Nodal Department for welfare of senior citizens.

• Aim: To empower the elderly, ensuring their active participation and inclusion in society.

• To create an environment where senior citizens can live a life of dignity, respect, and fulfilment, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the nation.

• It is an umbrella scheme for Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) that provides financial assistance to eligible organizations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes/ Continuous Care Homes.

• The Achievements under IPSrC through various activities include 552 Senior Citizen Homes, 14 Continuous care homes, 19 mobile Medicare units and 5 physiotherapy clinics assisted and maintained by different NGOs across the country.

• It has two components – the Integrated Program for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)

• IPSRC: It entails setting up homes to improve the quality of life of senior citizens, especially indigent senior citizens for writing basic amenities.

• SAPSRC: Each state/union territories expected to frame its own action plan for the welfare of senior citizens.

• Under IPSrC component grant in aid is provided to NGOs/ Voluntary Organisations (VOs) for running and maintenance of old age homes, Continuous Care Homes.

Five schemes have been launched under this umbrella scheme:

• Poshan Abhiyan for elderly

• Livelihood and skilling initiatives for senior citizens

• scheme on promoting silver economy

• Awareness generation and capacity building for welfare of senior citizens

• Channelising CSR funds for elderly care.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY):

• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) under the AVYAY, provides eligible senior citizens suffering from any of the age-related disability/ infirmity, with assisted living devices to restore near normalcy in their bodily functions.

• RVY also covers disability/ infirmity such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities. 

• Financial criteria for beneficiaries are Senior Citizen belonging to ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) category or has income up to Rs. 15,000 per month.

• Achievements under RVY through various implementing agencies are: 269 camps and beneficiaries of over 4 lakhs.

• A Toll-free No. 14567 (National helpline number- Elderline) was launched to provide free information, Guidance, Emotional Support and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.