Acts, Rules and Schemes

National Policy for Older Persons was introduced by Central Government in1999 to improve the health and welfare of senior citizens in India.


Having seen the requirements of Elderly People specially in view of changing social structure and values due to various economical, social and demographic changes.


Of late it was felt that there is  dire need for some policies which can ensure self dependence, support, care and welfare of Elderly People


The Government of India, therefore came out with the National Policy for Older Persons.


The government therefore launched, an integrated program for Older Persons i.e.- A scheme to provide Financial Assistance up to 90%  Two NGO's as on 31st March 2007. Another Programme of the government is the scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Voluntary Organization and Self Help Groups for construction of Old Age Homes and facilities related thereto. The government also initiated National Mental Health Programme to focus on the needs of Senior Citizens, Act 2007

NHRC panel to look into issues of the elderly 

New Delhi:- A core group has been constituted by the NHRC for the protection and welfare of the Elderly, which will review existing government policies on the subject assess the current status of enforcement  of senior citizen rights and make recommendation in this regard.

The 13 member core group will also be working on the identification of the “voids and gaps” in the policy implementation as well as suggest measures to fill the same.

Identifying important human rights issues especially concerned with Elderly and suggesting appropriate steps for “better” protection of their rights is also a task for the NHRC.

NHRC will also examine “bets practices” in India and abroad which will deal with care of Elderly and also take into consideration any other issue which will be relevant to the subject.

The representatives of leading NGOs, research institutes, hospitals, universities and societies working for the welfare of  Senior citizens comprise the core group of the NHRC.

 National Old Age Pension Scheme

The National Old Age Pension Scheme is one of the sub-schemes of National Social Assistance Programme of Indian government. The scheme actually started playing its role from 15th August 1995. To provide social assistance to the poor people who are above 65 years of age as old age pension is its main objective.


Eligibility for NOAP Scheme


 The scheme is applicable to people who are 65 or more with little or no regular means of subsistence from own sources of income or through financial support from family members.


Rate of Assistence


 The amount of Rs. 200 per month will be provided to the applicant.


Selection of beneficiary:


An applicant can apply for the pension through the prescribed  form - OAP-1 and 

Rights for Elderly:-

• Parents cannot be asked to leave house without due process of Law if the have been living there since forever.
• Under Section 125 of the CrPC, a magistrate can order a child to look after his Elderly parents under the maintenance of Parents Act.
• The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act states that an Elderly parent can ask maintenance from children likewise a wife demands it from her husband.
• The Domestic Violence Act too provides parents with thhe right to seek relief from any kind of abuse.

National Social Assistance Programme Social Security Pensions.

The government of India has introduced (NSAP) on 15th August 1995 with an objective of supporting minimum requirement of poor destitutes having little or no regular means of subsistence from their own source of income or any other support from their  family members. One of the components is NAtional Old Age Pension Scheme under the sectionthe applicants were extended support at the rate of Rs. 75 per pensioner per month.


The government of Andhara Pradesh decided to bring all the pensions under one umbrella by transferring the widow pensions from Social Welfare Department and disabled pensions from disabled Welfare Department and disabled pensions from Disabled Welfare Department to the Rural Development Department on 1-4-2006.


Intially, the amount of pension was Rs. 75 per month  till 2005-06, then from the year 2005-06 it was Rs. 100 per month and the amount increased from Rs. 100 per month to Rs. 200 per month from the year, 2006-07 for all the pensions.

The Eligibility criteria for getting Old Age pensions is as follows:-

• (A)    Eligibility criteria common to all pensions.
  
  
  (1)    The benificiary should belong to BPL (Below Poverty Line) family
  
  
  (2)     He/She should be local resident of the district.
  
  
  (3)     He/She should not be applicant of any other pension scheme
  
  
  (B)     Old Age Scheme:- The applicant both Male or Female should be more than 65 years with getting little or no subsistence