The great struggle of the older people during the COVID-19 crisis continues with spike in the present third wave, but 81 per cent of the elderly are optimistic about the Union Budget 2022 and believe that the Modi government will consider issues concerning them, finds the Agewell Foundation survey conducted this month across the country.
In the last two years of the pandemic period, most of the elderly in upper age groups have been finding the task of taking care of their health increasingly difficult. Moreover, a huge population of older persons in lower age group between 60 and 70 years is struggling to keep themselves active, engaged, and productive as well.
It is in this backdrop, Union Budget 2022-23 must address the issues they are facing so that they can not only cope with the hard times, but also participate in the mainstream economy with gainful engagements. They need special attention and support from the government, the foundation has said, while enumerating the following provisions to be included in the union budget.
- Provisions for Setting up of Skill Training & Retooling Centres for the Older People.
- Proving GST Exemption on services and products, commonly used by elderly.
- Provision for providing Nutri Kits to elderly from BPL families
- Dedicated Healthcare and online counseling services.
- Financial Security Measures
- Special Provisions for older persons in Government Schemes
- Social Pension Schemes
- Prime Minister’s Self-Employment Scheme for the Retired and Senior Citizens
Provisions for Setting up of Skill Training & Retooling Centres for the Older People
For providing skill training and modern technological know-how to senior citizens in order to retool and empower them for income generation in old age
Proving GST Exemption on services and products, commonly used by elderly, such as-
- Audit diapers
- Medicines, primarily by older people
- Healthcare equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, commode chairs, etc.
- Hospitalization of elderly patients
- Mediclaim policies of older persons
- Lifesaving products, i.e. pacemakers, dialysis, stents, used by older persons
- Medical Consultation fee
- Transportation /travel for medical treatment
Provision for providing Nutri Kits to elderly from BPL families
On monthly basis for ensuring proper and nutritional food items for elderly with a poor health condition
Dedicated Healthcare and online counseling services
- Dedicated healthcare facilities must be set up across the country at the local level and Door-step healthcare services should be provided for all the older persons
- Preference must be given to elderly patients/ bedridden elderly / older persons, unable to walk / move / living alone or facing acute health disorders.
- Online counseling for all kinds of psychological/ medical/ financial/ legal issues being faced by older persons
Financial Security Measures
Financial security provisions such as a higher rate of interest on savings/ investments by older persons with financial institutions (banks/ Post Offices/ etc.) to be ensured as the majority of them have no other source of income in old age.
Special Provisions For older persons In Government Schemes
In all government schemes, the focus must also be on special provisions for the needs & rights of older persons while implementing the schemes/ programs.
Participation of older persons must be ensured in various processes of development / implementation / supervision/ monitoring / evaluation government schemes / programs.
Social Pension Schemes
Under the social pension scheme, the monthly amount of Old Age Pension should be revised according to prevailing inflation. The current share of Central Government in the monthly old-age pension must be increased up to Rs. 3000/- per month for every old person. The state government should also be advised to modify its share accordingly.
Prime Minister’s Self-Employment Scheme for the Retired and Senior Citizens
The scheme should be initiated to tap the unexplored potential of older persons, who have experience, knowledge, wisdom, resources, time and above all zeal to work in old age to keep themselves engaged and connected with the mainstream.
“Today, older persons are facing different kinds of challenges. Making elderly-friendly budgetary provisions would certainly play an important role in ensuring the welfare and well-being of the ever-increasing population of older persons in the country. Older persons need opportunities and greater participation in the mainstream so that they can remain gainfully engaged as long as they can,” said Himanshu Rath, the Founder Chairman of Agewell Foundation.
Author Bio
Dr Gyan Pathak
Writer is a senior journalist and author. He is one of the leading commentators on the issues of public interest in the country. His articles are published in several media outlets across India. He has PhD in comparative study of journalism and literature.
Old age homes should be promoted like cooperative housing schemes.
Group of senior citizens could promote such homes and govt.could consider allotment of land and subsidies.
ज्ञान पाठक जी का लेख पढ़ा आनंद हुआ। कुछ बाते कहना चाहता हूं:
बिंदु 1 में स्किल डेवलपमेंट की बात की है। इसे समाज सेवा से संबंधित स्किल की जरूरत पर काम करना आवश्यक लगता है। अगर रोटी की समस्या है तो रोजगार से जोड़ना चाहिए।
बिंदु 5,6 और 7 के बारे में मेरा मानना है जो lo इनकम टैक्स भरते है उन्हे उसी अनुपात में पेंशन, आपातकाल में सरकारी सहायता और आर्थिक सुरक्षा की योजना बनाई जाए ताकि इनकम टैक्स से सामाजिक सुरक्षा का भाव पैदा हो और लोग इसे देने में मानसिक खुशी महसूस कर सके।
बुजर्गो को इनकम टैक्स भरने से छूट मिलनी चहिये अगर वो अपना इन्वस्टमेंट पोस्ट ऑफिस, बैंक, या शेयर मार्किट और कही अन्यत्र करते है
Skill development– existing.skill development centre’s and courses can be used by elderly, no one stops there. No need to create separate infrastructure for elderly. Insurance cos need people to promote their policies and also earn.
If elderly are serious in gainful employment they can learn MS office and higher skill..Then lot of opportunities are available.. Tele medi counseling facilities are available people should make use of them . Medicines is one big expenditure which can be handled thru generic medicines. Many NGOs can utilize services of retired personnel and elderly. Definite commitment has to come from elderly and they gave to take responsibility. Elderly can get together and provide counseling/,guidance on education financial.literacy and legal literacy, create awareness about human rights, etc. So elderly can do many things with minimal.or no expenditure.
नमस्कार. मै रिटायर्ड भाईयों के लिए आगामी बजट मे कुछ प्रावधान करने के लिए सरकार से अनुरोध करना चाहता हूँ कि —- 1)- चुकि हमें जो पेंशन मिलती है वह हमारी आय नहीं है बल्कि जीवन भरण पोषण के लिए है. अतएव अवकाश प्राप्त सभी भाईयों को इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न्स से मुक्त किया जाय. 2.) “अटल शक्ति केंद्र” का गठन कर अनुभव एवं स्वास्थ्य के आधार पर सरकारी योजनायों का क्रियान्वयन, पर्यवेक्षण, योजनाओं का प्रचार प्रसार, प्रशिक्षण एवं रोजगार सृजन आदि कार्यों मे सहयोग लिया जा सकता है 3) 70 वर्ष कि आयु तक बैंको द्वारा cgtsme अंतर्गत एक करोड़ रूपये तक unsecured ऋण दिए जाने का प्रावधान होना चाहिए. ताकि वे अपने देख रेख मे बच्चों को नियोजित कर सके.
हम वरिष्ठ नागरिक केवल आयु के कारण नहीं ,अपनी सोच के कारण माने जाने चाहिए। यह आयु का काल समाज के ऋणों को यथाशक्ति और यथासंभव उतारने का है ना कि सरकारों से अधिक से अधिक सुविधाएं और बैंकों से ब्याज मुक्त ऋण लेने का।
हम सभी के पास अनुभव की संचित पूंजी है, कुछ बची कुची शारीरिक सामर्थ्य है और आवश्यकता केवल मन में समाज की सेवा करने की भावना की और है। सभी वरिष्ठ नागरिकों को किसी ना किसी सामाजिक प्रकल्प में सेवा देने के लिए स्वयंसेवी के रूप में प्रस्तुत करना चाहिए और यह सरकार का कर्तव्य है कि इस प्रकार के स्वयंसेवकों को पूर्ण आर्थिक सुरक्षा, स्वास्थ्य संबंधी सुरक्षा एवं सामाजिक प्रतिष्ठा दिलाने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हो । कुछ मानधन जिसमें मान अधिक और धन न्यूनतम हो यही हमारे लिए अभीष्ट होना चाहिए।
खेद है कि इस तरह की सोच कोई भी रखता नहीं दिखता और केवल सुविधाएं मांगने की होड़ जैसी लगी हुई है। यह हमारी भारतीय संस्कृति के एकदम प्रतिकूल है और इस बुढ़ापे में सुख से हमको दूर खींच कर ले जाती है और निराशाओं को जन्म देती है।
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