| Sl. No. |
Name of the Ministry / Department |
Facilities / Benefits given to Senior Citizens |
| 1. |
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It has announced the National Policy on older persons which seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored and marginalized.
The National Policy on older persons confers the status of senior citizen to a person who has attained the age of 60 years. The Ministry has also written to all the Ministries / State Government concerned for adopting a uniform age of 60 years for conferring the status of senior citizen to a person and for extending facilities / concessions to them.
The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens:
a) The Scheme of assistance to Panchayati Raj institutions/ voluntary organisations / self-help groups for construction of old age homes/ multi-service centres for older persons.
b) An integrated program for older persons. |
| 2. |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Under the National old age pension scheme, Central Assistance of Rs. 75/= p.m. is granted to destitute older persons above 65 years. This scheme has been transferred to the state plan w.e.f. 2002-03. Under the Annapurna Scheme, free food grains(wheat or rice) upto 10 kg. per month are provided to destituteolder persons 65 years or above who are otherwise wligible for old age pension but are not receiving it . |
| 3. |
Ministry of Finance |
Income Tax Act provide upto 1.85 lacs income tax free to senior citizens who have attained the age of 65 years at any time during the relevant previous year.
Senior citizens are excluded from "one by six" schemes for filing the Income Tax return under provision Section 139(1)
For senior citizen, the deduction in respect of medical insurance premium is up to Rs. 15,000/- under section 80D.
RBI has permitted higher rates of interest on saving schemes of senior citizens (persons having the age of 65 years and above). Accordingly banks permitted 0.5% higher rate of interest on fixed deposits.
Separate counters are marked for senior citizensat the time of the Income Tax returns. Senior citizens above 65 yearsas on 31 March of the assessment year must be a pensioner and should come personally, get priority while submitting their Income Tax returns. Besides, on the spot assessment facility is also provided. |
| 4. |
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
The Ministry (on request from the Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment) has issued instructions to all State Government to provide for separate queuesfor older persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination. |
| 5. |
Ministry of Railways |
Indian Railways provide 30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains for both males and females aged 60 years and above.
Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for senior citizens for purchase/ booking / cancellation of tickets. |
| 6 |
Ministry of Civil Avaition |
Indian Airlines or Jet Airways are providing 50% discount on basic fare for all domestic flights in economy class to senior citixzens having attained the age of 65 years (men and women). Sahara India Airlines is providing 50% discount on basic fare for all domestic flights to senior citizens having attained the age of 62 years (men and women). |
| 7. |
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways |
Reservation of two seats fore senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State road transport undertakings( ASTRU) |
| 8 |
Miscellaneous |
Telephone connection is given on priority to senior citizens of age 65 years and above by the Ministry of Telecommunications. On the request of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India has advised Chief Justices of all high courts in the country to accord priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious disposal |
