NATIONAL POLICY ON OLDER

PERSONS
(Formulated by the Govt. Of
India, Social Justice and
Empowerment Ministry and
adopted by the Union Cabinet
on 13th February 1999)
 Demographic Ageing :
• A global phenomenon has hit Indian shores as well. People
are living longer. Expectation of life at birth for males has shown a steady rise from
42 years in 1951 – 60 to 58 years in 1986-90, it is projected to be 67 years in 2011-
16, an increase of about 9 years in a twenty five year period (1986-90) to 2011-16), in
the case of females, the increase in expectation of life has been higher, about 11
years, during the same period, from 58 years in 1986-90 to 69 years in 2011-16, At
age 60 too, the expectation of life shows a steady rise and is a little higher for women.
In 1989-93 it was 15 years for males 16 years for females.
Increased life expectancy has contributed to an
increase in the number of persons
60+.

From only 12 million persons 60+ in India in 1901, the

number crossed 24 million in 1951 and 57 million in 1991.

Population projections for 1996-2016 made by the Technical

group on population projections (1996) indicate that the

100 million mark is expected to be reached in 2013.

• Projections beyond 2016 made by the United
Nations (1996) Revision), has indicated that India will have 198 million persons
60+
in 2020 and 326 million in 2050. The percentage of persons 60+ in the total
population has seen a steady rise from 5.1 percent in 1901 to 6.8 percent in
1991. It is
expected to reach 8.9 percent in 2016. Projections beyond 2016 made by United
Nations (1996 Revision) has indicated that 2.1 percent of the India Population
will be
60+ by 2050
Growth rate on a larger demographic base
implies a much larger increase in numbers.

The will be the case in the coming years. The decade 2001-11 is
expected to witness an increase of 25 million persons 60+, which is
equivalent to the total population of persons 60+ in 1961. The twenty
five year period from 1991 to 2016 will witness an increase of 55.4
million persons 60+, which is nearly the same as the population of
persons 60+ in 1991. In other words, in the twenty five year period
starting from 1991, the population 60+ will nearly double itself.
• Sixty three percent of the old population in 1991 (36 million) is in the
age group 60-69years. Often referred to as young old or not so old,
while 11 percent (6 million) is in the age group 80 years and over i.e in
the older old or very old category. In 2016,the percentage in those
age groups will be almost the same, but the numbers are expected to
be 69 million and 11 million respectively. In other words, close to
sixtenths of the population 60-69 years can be expected to be in
reasonably goodphysical and mental health, free of serious disability
and capable of leading an active life. About one-third of the
population 70-79 can also be expected to be fit for a reasonably
active life. This is indicative of the huge reserve of human resource
Some areas of concern in the situation of older persons will also
emerge, signs of which are already evident, resulting in pressures and
fissures in living arrangements of older persons. It is true that family
ties in India are very strong and an over whelming majority live with
their sons or are suopported by them. Also, working examples find the
presence of old persons, emotionally bonding and of great help in
managing the household and caring for children.
• Due to shortage of space in dwellings in
• urban areas and high rents, migrants prefer to leave their parents in their native place.
• Changing roles and expectations of women, their concepts of privacy and space,
• desire not to be encumbered by caring responsibilities of old people for long periods,
• career ambitions, and employment outside the home implies considerably reduced
• time for care-giving. Also, adoption of small family norms by a growing number of
• families, daughters, too are fully occupied. Pursuing their educational career. The
• position of single persons, particularly females, is more vulnerable in old age as few
• persons are willing to take care for non-lineal relatives. So also is the situation of
• widows have no independent source or income, do not own assets and are totally
• dependent.
Well-being of older persons has been mandated in
the Constitution of India. Article41

• Directive Principle of State Policy, has directed that the State shall, within the
limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for
securities, the right to public assistance in case of old age. There are other
provisions
too, which direct the state to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Right to
equality has been guaranteed by the Constitution as a Fundamental right. There
provisions apply equally to older persons. Social security has been made the
concurrent responsibility of the central and state Governments.
• The United Nations principle for Older persons adopted by
• the United Nations General Assembly in 1991, the Proclamations on
Ageing and the
• Global targets as Ageing for the year 2001 adopted by the General
Assembly in 1992, and various other Resolutions adopted from time
to time, are intended to encourage
• governments to design their policies and program in this regard.
• The population of elderly persons is rapidly increasing globally. As per
Census 2001, total population above 60 years of age in India was 76.6
million (7.5 %). The data of 2011 Census is yet not available, but as
per projection, the elderly population as on date is expected to be
around 98 million. At present pace of growth, it is likely to rise more
rapidly in the coming years due to further increase in life expectancy.
According to estimated projection, the population of elderly will be
around 12.4 % of the total population by 2025.
• The normal physiological aging process results in decrease in body
stamina as well as immunity. This makes elderly more prone to diseases
and disabilities. Around 8% elderly are bed ridden as per National
Sample Survey Organization (NSSO). Elderly people suffer from complex
health problem involving multiple organ and body system. Many of these
require long term treatment or expensive interventions. The General
health care delivery system which the elderly populations use at present
is unable to meet the special needs of elderly population. Apart from
this, with degradation in social and family values, the elderly are left
alone to manage their own health problems. A dedicated health care
system for elderly population is, therefore, essential.
• Preventive & promotive care
• Management of illness
• Health Manpower Development for geriatric services
• Medical rehabilitation & therapeutic intervention
• Developing appropriate training courses for medical and paramedical health
professional in geriatric care
• Promotion and encouraging basic, clinical, epidemiological and applied research
in ageing and the health care of the elderly.
• Integrating other systems of medicine such as AYUSH in provision of health care to
the elderly
• IEC
• Health FacilityPackages of servicesSub-centre Health Education related to
healthy ageing Domiciliary visits for attention and care to home
bound/bedridded elderly persons and provide training to the family care
providers in looking after the disabled elderly persons. Arrange for suitable
calipers and supportive devices from the PHC to the elderly disabled persons
to make them ambulatory.
• Linkage with other support groups and day care centres etc. operational in
the area
• Primary Health Centre Weekly geriatric clinic run by a trained Medical Officer
Maintain record of the Elderly using standard format during their first visit
Conducting a routine health assessment of the elderly persons based on a
simple clinical examination relating to eye, BP, blood sugar
• Provision of medicines and proper advice on chronic ailments.
• Public awareness on promotional, preventive and rehabilitative
aspects of geriatrics during health and village sanitation day/camps.
• Referral for diseases needing further investigation and treatment, to
Community Health Centre or the District Hospital as per need.
• Community Health Centre First Referral Unit (FRU) for the Elderly
from PHCs and below. Geriatric Clinic for the elderly persons twice a
week. Rehabilitation Unit for physiotherapy and counseling
• Domiciliary visits by the rehabilitation worker for bed ridden elderly
and counseling of the family members on their home-based care.
• Health promotion and Prevention.
• Referral of difficult cases to District Hospital/higher health care facility
• District Hospital Geriatric Clinic for regular dedicated OPD services to the
Elderly. Facilities for laboratory investigations for diagnosis and provision
of medicines for geriatric medical and health problems. Ten-bedded
Geriatric Ward for in-patient care of the Elderly.
• Existing specialities like General Medicine; Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology;
ENT services etc. will provide services needed by elderly patients.
• Provide services for the elderly patients referred by the CHCs/PHCs etc.
• Conducting camps for Geriatric Services PHCs/CHCs and other sites.
• Referral services for severe cases to tertiary level hospitals.
NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT

. The National policy, seeks to assure older persons that their concerns
are national
concerns and hey will not live unprotected, ignored or marginalized.
The goal of the
National Policy is the well - being of older persons. It aims to strengthen
their
legitimate place in society and help older persons to live their last
phase of their life
with purpose, dignity and peace.
• The Policy visualizes that the state will extend support for financial
security,
healthcare, shelter, welfare and other needs of older persons, provide
protection
against abuse and exploitation, make available opportunities for the
development of
the potential and provide services so that they can improve the quality
of their lives.
The policy is based on some broad principles.
• It has to be ensured that the rights of older persons are not violated
and they get opportunities
and equitable share in development program and administrative
actions will reflect
sensitivity towards older persons living in rural areas. Special attention
will be
necessary to older females so that they do not become victims of triple
neglect and
discrimination on account of gender, widowhood and age.
• The Policy recognizes that older persons too are a resource. They
render useful service in the family and outside. They are not just
consumers of goods and services,
but also their producers. Opportunities and facilities need to be
provided so that they
can continue to contribute more effectively to the family, community
and the society.
• The policy firmly believes in the empowerment of older persons so
that they can acquire better control over their lives and participate in
decision-making on matters
which affect them as well as the other issues as equal partners in the
development
process. The decision-making process will seek to involve them to a
much larger
extent, specially since they constitute 12 percent of the electorate, a
proportion which
will rise in the coming years.
• The Policy emphasizes the need for expansion of social and community
services for
• older persons, particularly women, and enhance their accessibility and use
by
• removing sociocultural, economic and physical barriers and making the
services
• client-oriented and user-friendly. Special efforts will be made to ensure that
the rural
• areas, where more than three-fourths of the older population lives, are
adequately
• covered.
FINANCIAL SECURITY

• A great anxiety in old age relates to financial insecurity. When the issue seen
in the
• context of the fact that one-third of the population (1993-94) is below the
poverty line
• and about one-third above it but belong to the lower income group, the
financial
• situation of two-thirds of the population 60+ can be said to be fragile. Some
level of
• income security in old age is goal which will be given very high priority. Policy
• instruments to cover different income segments will be developed.
• For elderly persons below the poverty line, old age pensions provide some succor.
• Coverage under the old age pensions scheme for poor persons will be significantly
• expanded from the January, 1997 level of 2.76 million with the ultimate objective of
• covering all older persons below the poverty line. Simultaneously it will be necessary
• to prevent delays and check abuses in the matter of seletion and disbursement. Rate of
• monthly pension will need to be revised at intervals so that inflation does not deflate
• its real purchasing power. Simultaneously, the public distribution system will reach
• out to cover all persons 60+living below the poverty line.
• The right of parent without any means to be supported by their children having
• sufficient means has been recognized in Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
• The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 too secures this right to parents. To
• simplify the procedure provide speedy relief, lay down the machinery for processing
• cases and define the rights and circumstances in a comprehensive manner, the
• Himachal Pradesh Maintenaces of Parents and Dependent bill, 1996. The
• Government of Maharashtra has prepared a Bill on similar lines. Other States will be
• encouraged to pass similar legislation so that old parents unable to maintain
• themselves do not face abandonment and acute neglect
• HEALTHCARE AND NUTRITION
• 33. With advancing age, old persons have to cope with health and
associated problems
• some of which may be chronic, of a multiple nature, requires constant
attention and
• carry the risk of disability and consequent loss of autonomy. Some
health problems,
• specially when accompanied by impaired functional capacity require
long term
• management of illness at home and of nursing care.
• Health care needs of older persons will be given high priority. The goal should be
• affordable health services, very heavily subsidized for the poor and graded system of
• user charges for others. It will be necessary to have a judicious mix of public health
• services, health insurance, health services provided by not-for profit organizations,
• including trusts and charities and private medical care. While the first of these will
• require greater State participation, the second category will need to be promoted by
• the state, the third category given some assistance, concessions and relief and the
• fourth encouraged, preferably by an association of providers of private care.
• Primary health care system will be the basic structure of public healthcare. It will
be
basic structure of public healthcare. It will be strengthened and oriented to be
able to
meet the health care needs of older persons as well public health services,
preventive, curative, restorative and rehabilitative, will be considerably expanded
and
strengthened and geriatric care facilities provided at secondary and tertiary levels.
This will imply much larger public outlays, proper distribution of services in rural
and
urban areas and much better health administration and delivery systems.
• Private medical care has expanded in recent years, offering the latest medical
• treatment facilities to those who can afford it. Where land and other facilities
are
• provided at less than market rates, bodies representing private hospitals and
nursing
• homes will be requested to direct their members to offer a discount to older
persons.
• Private general practitioners will be extended opportunities for orientation in
geriatric
• care.
Public hospitals will be directed to ensure that elderly patients are not
subjected to long waits and visits to different counters for medical tests
and treatment. They will endeavour to provide separate counters and
convenient timings on specified days.
Geriatric wards will be set up40. Medical and paramedical personnel in primary
secondary and tertiary health carfacilities will be given training and orientation in
health care of the elderly. Facilities for specialization in geriatrics medicine will be
provided in the medical colleges.
Training in nursing care will include geriatric care. Problems of accessibility and sue
of health services by the elderly arise due to distance and absence of escort and
transportation. Difficulties in reaching a public health mobile health services, special
cases and ambulance services by charitable institutions and not for profit health care
organizations. Hospitals will be encouraged to have a separate Welfare Fund, which
will receive donations and grants for providing free treatment and medicines to poor
elderly patients.
• For the old who are chronically ill and are deprived of family support, hospitals
• supported or assisted by the state public charity and voluntary organizations will be
• necessary. These are also needed to cater to cases of abandonment to public
hospitals.
• 42. Assistance will be given to geriatric care societies for the production and
distribution
• of instruction material on self care by older persons. Preparation and distribution of
• easy-to-follow guidance material on health and nursing care of older persons for the
• use of the family care givers will also be supported
• Older persons and their families will be given access to educational
material on nutritional needs in old age. Information will be available
on the foods to avoid and the right foods to eat. Diet receips suiting
tastes of different regions and which are nutritious tasty, fit into the
dietary pattern of the family and the community, areaffordable and
can be prepared from locally available vegetables, cereals and fruits
will be disseminated.
• The concept of healthy ageing will be promoted. It is necessary to
educate older persons and their families that diseases are not a
corollary of advancing age, nor is a particular chronological age the
starting point for decline in health status. On the contrary, preventive
health care and early diagnosis can keep a person in reasonable good
health and prevent disability. 45. Health education programmes will
be strengthened by making use of mass media and other
communication channels, which reach out to different segments of
the population. The capacity to cope with illness and manage
lomiciliary care will be strengthened.
• Programs will also be developed targeting the younger and middle age
groups to inform them how life styles during early years affect health status in
late
years. Messages on how to stay healthy for the entire life span will be given. The
importance of balanced food diets, physical exercise, regular habits, reduction of
stress, regular medical check up, allocation of time for leisure and recreation and
pursuit of hobbies will be conveyed.
Programs on Yoga, Meditation and methods of
relaxation will be developed and transmitted through different channels of
communication to reach diverse audiences.
Mental health services will be expanded and strengthened. Families will
be provided
counselling facilities and information on the care of treatment of older
persons having
mental health problems
Shelter is a basic human need
.The stock of housing for different income segments will be increased.
Housing schemes for urban and rural lower income segments will
earmark 10 percent of the houses, house-sites for allotment to older
persons. This will include Indira Awas Yojana and other schemes of the
Government.
Earning persons will be motivated to invest in their housing in their
earning days so that they have no problems of shelter when they grow
old.
• Education, training and orientation of town planners, architects, and
housing administrators will include modules on needs of older
persons for safe and comfortable living.
Older Persons and their families will be provided of accidents and on
measures which enhance safety, taking cognisance of reduced physical
capacity and infirmities
• Noise and other forms of pollution affect children, the sick and older
persons more adversely. Norms will be laid down and strictly
enforced.
Civic authorities and bodies providing public utilities will be required to
give top priority to attending to complaints of older persons. Payment
of civic dues will be facilitated. Older persons will be given special
consideration in promptly dealing with maters relating to transfer of
property, mutation, property tax and other matters, harassment and
abuses in such cases will be checked.
EDUCATION
• Education, training and information needs of older persons will be
met. These have received virtually no attention in the past.
Information and educational material specially relevant to the lives of
older people will be developed and widely disseminated using mass
media and non-formal communication channels.
• Discrimination, if any against older persons for availing opportunities
for education, training and orientation will be removed. Continuing
education programs will be encouraged and supported. These would
cover a wide spectrum ranging from career development to
recreation use of leisure and imparting skills in community work and
welfare activities. Assistance of open universities will be sought to
develop packages using distance education learning techniques.
• Access of older persons to libraries ofuniversities, research
institutions and cultural centres will be facilitated.
• Educational curriculum at all stages of formal education as also non-
formal education will incorporate material to strengthen inter-
generational bonds and mutually supporting relationships.
• Interactions with educational institutions will be facilitated,whereby
older persons with professional, qualifications and knowledge in
science,arts, environment, socio - cultural heritage, sports and other
areas could interact with children and young persons. Schools will
encouraged and assisted to develop outreach programs for interacting
with older persons on a regular basis, participate in therunning of
senior citizens centres and develop activities in them
• Individuals of all ages, families and communities will be provided with
information about the ageing process and the changing roles,
responsibilities and relationships at different stages of the life cycle.
The contributions of older persons inside the household and outside
will be highlighted through the media and other forum and
negative images, myths and stereotypes dispelled
WELFARE
The main thrust of welfare will be to identify the more vulnerable
among older persons such as the poor, the disabled, the infirm, the
chronically sick and those without family support and provide welfare
services to them on a priority basis. The policy will be to consider
institutional care as the last resort when personal circumstances are
such that their stay in old age homes becomes absolutely necessary
• Non-institutional services by voluntary organisations will be promoted
and assisted to strengthen the coping capacity of the older persons
and their families. This has become necessary, since families become
smaller and women work outside the home,have to cope with scarcity
of full-time care givers. Support services will provide somerelief
through sharing of the family’s caring responsibilities.
• Voluntary organisations will be encouraged and assisted to organise services such as

daycare, multi-service citizen’s centres, reach-out services, supply of disability

related aids and appliances, assistance to old persons to learn to use them, short term

stay services and friendly home visits by social workers.

For old couples or persons living in their own, helpline, telephone assurance services, help in

maintaining contacts with friends, relatives and neighbours and escorting older persons to hospitals,

shopping complexes and other places will be promoted for which assistancewill be given to voluntary

organisations. Older persons will be encouraged to forminformal groups of their own in the

neighbourhood which satisfy the needs for social interaction, recreation and other activities. For a

group of neighbourhood villages, the

formation of senior citizen’s forum will be encouraged.

• A welfare fund for older persons will be set up. It will obtain funding
support from government, corporate sector, trusts, charities, individual
donors and others contributions to the fund will be given tax relief. States
will be expected to establishsimilar funds. 64. The need for popularity of
arrangements for welfare services in recognized government, voluntary
organisations and private sector agencies, all have a place, the latter
catering to those who have the means and desire better standards of care.
PROTECTION OF LIFE AND
PROPERTY
• Old persons become soft targets for criminal elements. They also
become victims of fraudulent dealings and of physical and emotional
abuse within the household by family members to force them to part
with their ownership rights. Widow’s right of inheritance, occupancy
and disposal at times, violated by their own children and relatives. It is
important that protection is available to older persons. The
introduction
of special provisions in IPC to protect older persons from domestic
violence will beconsidered and machinery provided to attend all such
cases promptly. Tenancy legalisation will be reviewed so that the rights
of occupancy of older persons are restored steadily.
• Voluntary organisations and associations of older persons will be
assisted to provide
• protective services and help to senior citizens through helping
services, legal and
• other measures.
• Police will be directed to keep a friendly vigil on older couples or old
single persons living alone and promote mechanisms of interaction
with neighbourhood associations.
Information and advice will be made available to older persons on the
importance of keeping contacts on phone with relatives, friends and
neighbours and on precaution to be taken on matters such as
prevention of un-authorised entry, hiring of domestic
help, visits of repair and maintenance persons, vendors and others and
the handling of cash and valuables.
• There are various other areas which would need affirmative action of the state to
• ensure that cards by the administration, fare concessions in all modes travel,
• preference in reservation of seats in local public transport, modification in the design
• of public transport vehicles for entry and exit, strict enforcement of traffic discipline
• at zebra crossings to facilitate older persons to cross streets, priority in gas and
• telephone connections and in fault repairs, removal of physical barriers to facilitate
• easy movement, concessions in entrance fee in leisure and entertainment facilities, art
• and cultural centres and places of tourist interest.
• Speedy disposal of complaints of older persons relating to fraudulent dealings,
• cheating and other matters will go a long way in providing relief to them.
Machinery
• for achieving this objective will be put in place.
• 70. Issues pertaining to older persons will be highlighted every year on the
National
• Older Persons Day. The year 2000 will be declared as the National Year of
Older
• Persons. Activities during the year will be planned and executed with the
• participation for different organisations
NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANISATIONS
• The state alone cannot provide all the services needed by the older
persons. Private
• sector agencies cater to a rather small segment of the population. The
National Policy
• recognised the NGO sector as a very important institutional
mechanism to provide
• user-friendly affordable services to complement the endeavours of
the state in this
• direction.
• Older persons will be encouraged to recognise themselves to provide
services to
• fellow senior citizens thereby making us of their professional
knowledge, expertise
• and contacts. Initiative taken by them in advocacy, mobilisation of
public opinion,
• raising of resources and community work will be supported.
• The national policy recognises that 60+ phase of life is a huge untapped resource.
• Facilities will be made available so that the potential is realised and individuals are
• enabled to make the appropriate choices.
Older Persons, particularly women, perform useful but unsung roles in the household.
• Efforts will be made to make family members appreciate and respect the contribution
• of older persons in the running of the household specially when women too are
• working outside the home. Special programmes will be designed and disseminated
• through the media targeted at older persons so that they can enrich and update their
• knowledge, integrate tradition with contemporary needs and trasmit more effectively
• socio cultural heritage to the grand children
• Family is the most-cherished institution in india and the most vital non-
formal social
• security for the old. Most older persons stay with one or more of their
children,
• particularly when independent living is no longer feasible. It is for them the
mostpreferred living arrangement and also the most emotionally satisfying.
It is important
• that the family support system continues to be functional and the ability of
the family
• to discharge its caring responsibilities is strengthened through support
services.
• Programmes will be developed to promote family-values, sensitise the young on the
• necessity and desirability of intergenerational bonding and continuity and the
• desirability of meeting filial obligations.Values of sharing and caring need to be
• reinforced. Society will need to be sensitised to accept the role of married daughters
• in sharing in the light of the changing context where parents have only one or two
• children in some situations only daughter. This would require some adjustment and
• changes in perception of in-laws in regard to sharing of caring responsibilities by
• some and daughters as a rollary to equal rights to inheritance and the greater
• emotional attachment the daughters have with their parents.
• State policies will encourage children to co-reside with their parents by providing tax
• relief, allowing rebates for medical expenses and giving preferences in the allotment
• of houses. Parents will be encouraged to go in for long-term savings instrument and
• health insurance during their earning days so that financial load on families can be
• eased. NGOs will be encouraged and assisted to provide services which reach out to
• older persons in the home or in the community short term stay in facilities for older
• people will be supported so that families can get some relief when they go out.
• Counselling services will be strengthened to relieve intra-familial stresses.
TRAINING OF MANPOWER

• The policy recognises the importance if trained manpower. Medical colleges will be
assisted to offer specialities in geriatrics training institute for nurses and for the
paramedical personnel need to introduce specific courses of geriatrics in their
educational and training curriculum. In-service training centres will be strengthened
to take up orientation courses on geriatric care. Assistance will be provided for
development of curriculum and course material. Schools of social work and
university departments need to give more attention to their curriculum to issues
relating to older persons intervention strategies and organisations of services for
them. Facilities will be provided and assistance given for training and orientation of
personal non-governmental organisations providing service to older persons.
Exchange of training personnel will be facilitated.
The National Policy recognises that media have a very important role to play in
highlighting the changing situations of older persons and in identifying emerging
issues and areas of action. Creative use of media can promote the concept of active
ageing and help dispel stereo types and negative images about this stage of the life
cycle. Media can also help to strengthen inter-generation bonds and provide
individuals, families and groups with information and educational material which will
give better understanding of the ageing process and of ways to handle problems as
they arise
• The policy aims to involve media as well as informal and traditional
communication
channels on ageing issues. It will be necessary to provide opportunities to
media personnel to have access to information apart from their aim
independent sources of
information and reporting of field situations. Their participation in
orientation
programmes on ageing will be facilitated. Opportunities will be extended for
greater
interaction between media personnel and persons active in the field of
ageing.
IMPLEMENTATION
The National policy on older persons will be very widely disseminated for which an
action plan will be prepared so that its features remain inconstant public focus.
the policy will make a change in the lives of the senior citizens only if it is
implemented. While the government and the principal organs have some basic
responsibilities in the matter, other institutions as well as individuals will need to
consider how they can play their respective roles for the well-being of older persons.
Collaborative action will go a long way in achieving a more human society, which
gives older persons their legitimate place. Apex level organisations of older persons
have special responsibilities in this regard so that they can function as a watchdog,
energise continuing action, mobilise public opinion and generate pressure for
implementaiton of the policy.
• The ministry of social justice and empowerment will be the nodal ministry to
• coordinate all matters relating to the implementation of the policy. As
separate bureau
• of older persons will be set up. An Inter-ministerial committee will coordinate
matters
• relating to implementation of the national policy and monitor its progress.
States will
• be encouraged to set up separate directorate of older persons and set up
machinery for
• coordination and monitoring.
Five year and annual action plans will be prepared by each ministry top implement
aspects which concern them. These will indicate steps to be taken to ensure flow of
benefits to older persons from general programmes and from schemes specifically
formulated for their wellbeing. Targets will be set within the framework of a time
schedule. Responsibility for implementation of action points will be specified. The
planning commission and the finance ministry will facilitate budgetary provisions
required for implementation. The Annual report of each ministry will indicate
progress achieved during the year.
• Every three years the nodal ministry and orientation of personal non
will prepare a
• detailed review - governmental organisations providing service to
older persons.
• Exchange of training personnel will be facilitated.
• 95. Assistance will be given for development and organisation of
sensitation programmes
• on ageing for legislative, judicial and executive wings at different
levels.