Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Context: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) to empowering senior citizens in India About Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana:

• Amalgamation of earlier scheme: National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrc) was revamped, renamed as Atal VayoAbhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) in 2021. It is an umbrella Scheme which includes Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.
• Objectives:
  • Enhance standard of living: To improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities.
  • Priceless addition: To recognize the invaluable contribution made by the elderly to society.
  • Curbing loneliness: To ensure their well-being and social inclusion by empowering and uplifting them.
  • Active engagement: To ensure their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.
• Nodal agency: Ministry Social Justice and Empowerment
• Implementing Agencies: State/ UT Governments /Panchayati Raj Institutions / local bodies and eligible Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organizations
• Approach: Assistance will be given to the Implementing Agencies for the following purposes:
  • Fulfilling requirements: Programmes catering to the basic needs of Senior Citizens particularly food, shelter and health care to the destitute elderly.
  • Building bridges: Programmes to build and strengthen intergenerational relationships particularly between children / youth and Senior Citizens, through Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs).
  • Infusing dynamism: Programmes for encouraging Active and Productive Ageing, through RRTCs.
  • Comprehensive care: Programmes for providing Institutional as well as Non-Institutional Care/ Services to Senior Citizens.
  • Increasing knowledge: Research, Advocacy and Awareness building programmes in the field of Ageing through RRTC.
  • Any other programmes in the best interest of Senior Citizens.

Additional Information: About Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC):  Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry Social Justice and Empowerment Provision of Grants in Aid: Care homes: For running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes/ Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units etc. to the Implementing Agencies Comprehensive care: For providing basic amenities, entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Financing: Central Sector Scheme funded from Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. Welfare component: Aids and assistive living devices are provided to senior citizens. Eligibility criteria: Beneficiaries are the Senior Citizen belonging to ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) category or who earn less than 15000/- per month. Ailments covered: Age related disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities. Implemented by: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) – a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

 News Source: pib