(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Ensuring Dignity and Old Age: A Pathway to Social Security for Senior Citizens

(NOVEMBER-2024)

Ensuring Dignity and Old Age: A Pathway to Social Security for Senior Citizens

Introduction

Social security plays an essential role in any welfare state, providing individuals with protection against economic uncertainties, particularly in their later years. For India's elderly population, who encounter financial, health, and social difficulties, this safety net is vital. Traditionally, India's joint family structure took charge of elderly care, but evolving family dynamics, urban growth, and changing societal norms have necessitated formal governmental intervention. This evolution has spawned several state initiatives aimed at enhancing the social and economic security of seniors.

Background:

Demographic Shifts of the Aging Population in India

India is undergoing a population transition with an increasing number of elderly individuals. As reported by the 2019 Technical Group on Population Projections, the elderly demographic (aged 60+) was estimated at 103.8 million in 2011 and is anticipated to rise to 138 million by 2021, ascending to 194 million by 2031 and possibly reaching 240 million by 2041. This progression from 5.5% of the total populace in 1951 to a predicted 15% by 2036 underscores the critical requirement for policies that advocate for elder care. This necessity is exacerbated by conditions such as nuclear families, urban migration, and globalization that diminish conventional support structures.

Social Security Programs for Aged Citizens in India

National Policy and Action Plans

The National Policy on Older Persons (1999) represented India’s inaugural comprehensive policy aimed at addressing the needs of the older population, corresponding with the UN’s declaration of 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. The objective of this policy was to improve the quality of life for seniors through financial aid, food security, healthcare, accommodation, and legal safeguards.
The National Action Plan for the Welfare of Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), initiated in 2021, centers on promoting healthy and self-reliant aging while highlighting the importance of intergenerational social connections.

Pension and Insurance Initiatives

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Launched in 1995, this initiative is focused on Below Poverty Line (BPL) individuals, including seniors, by providing financial assistance such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and other similar programs. Approximately 30 million beneficiaries receive monthly support.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Started in 2015 for the informal sector, APY promotes retirement savings for individuals aged 18-40, guaranteeing a pension after the age of 60. By June 2024, over 66.2 million subscribers had joined the program, with a considerable segment being women.
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): This plan, initiated in 2017, offers a guaranteed pension along with insurance for the elderly, ensuring a consistent income.
Employees’ Provident Fund Pension Scheme (EPS): Administered by the EPFO, EPS provides retirement assurances and additional benefits for workers in the formal sector.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): An economical accidental insurance initiative offering coverage for death or disability, aimed at individuals aged 18-70.

Healthcare Initiatives:

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): Introduced in 2007, this program provides health insurance for BPL families, along with an extra Rs. 30,000 coverage for critical ailments affecting the elderly.
National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE): Established in 2010, NPHCE emphasizes accessible healthcare, incorporating district geriatric units and dedicated services for seniors.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): This program, launched in 2018, offers annual health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family for economically disadvantaged groups, including senior citizens, facilitating access to vital treatments.
Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF): Created in 2016, this fund backs efforts such as healthcare initiatives and awareness campaigns focused on the welfare of senior citizens.

Livelihood and Skill Development Efforts:

Senior-Able Citizens for Reemployment and Dignity (SACRED): An initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice designed to provide job opportunities to seniors.
AGRASR Groups: Motivate seniors to establish self-help groups for income generation, fostering social interaction and economic participation.
Silver Economy Initiatives: Through the SAGE portal, introduced in 2021, this program aids innovative startups focused on the welfare of the elderly, contributing to an age-friendly economy.

Housing and Welfare Schemes

Day Care Centers: Offer recreational activities, healthcare services, and counseling for seniors, lessening isolation and enhancing mental health.
Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSRC): Provides support to old-age homes via grants to NGOs, ensuring housing and care for the elderly.
Reverse Mortgage Scheme: Introduced in 2007, this program allows senior homeowners to receive periodic payments while retaining ownership of their homes, delivering financial aid without displacing them.

Legal Protections for Senior Citizens

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: Requires children to support their elderly parents and allows seniors to request maintenance. The act also creates tribunals for seniors to pursue justice if they are neglected.
National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011: Advocates for improved healthcare, housing, and financial stability for seniors, safeguarding their dignity and care.
Elder Helplines and Awareness Programs: Governments and NGOs have established helplines for seniors to report mistreatment and neglect, alongside programs to raise awareness of their rights.

Challenges in Implementing Social Security for Senior Citizens

Despite a plethora of schemes, obstacles in implementation endure:

Infrastructure Gaps: Rural locales lack sufficient infrastructure, hindering service accessibility.
Awareness Issues: Numerous seniors remain oblivious to the available government programs, limiting their access to benefits.
Financial Inadequacy: Pension amounts frequently fall short of meeting fundamental needs.
Healthcare Access and Costs: Significant medical expenses continue to be an obstacle, with healthcare facilities scarce in many areas.
Digital Divide: Many older adults lack the skills to navigate digital platforms, complicating access to online applications and services.
Complex Application Processes: Intricate documentation and procedural requirements discourage many seniors from applying for benefits.
Gender Disparities: Elderly women, especially widows, encounter greater challenges in obtaining social security benefits.
Social Isolation and Mental Health: Isolation among seniors can exacerbate mental health issues, yet existing support structures are insufficient to tackle these challenges.
Inconsistent Implementation Across States: The fragmentation of schemes across states results in unequal access, risking disparities in support for the elderly.

Way Forward

To enhance social security for India's seniors, a unified strategy is crucial:
Universal Pension Coverage: Implementing universal pension schemes would guarantee a basic income for all elderly individuals to satisfy their needs.
Enhanced Healthcare Services: Focus on improving healthcare access and infrastructure in rural and underprivileged regions.
Streamlined Processes: Simplify application methods, provide help with documentation, and increase awareness regarding senior benefits.
Gender-Specific Support: Tackle gender disparities through targeted initiatives, particularly for widowed individuals.
Community Engagement: Cultivate social networks to alleviate isolation and boost mental health outcomes.
Holistic Social Security Framework: Create a comprehensive system that addresses the broad spectrum of senior citizens’ needs, ensuring they can live with dignity and security.

Conclusion

Reinforcing social security for the elderly in India is fundamental to constructing a society that honors and values its older generations. By confronting challenges in healthcare, financial stability, and social integration, India can establish a solid framework for its seniors, empowering them to lead dignified and satisfying lives.