Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Why is in news? Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: Empowering the Elderly for a Dignified Life

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been working towards creating an inclusive and equitable society for all its citizens.

Over the past nine years, the Ministry has launched several schemes and initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized sections of society, including students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes through Scholarships, Elderly Citizens, Safai Karmcharis, and Transgender people

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, being the Nodal Department for welfare of senior citizens, is implementing various programs and schemes.

The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India.

It is a Central Sector Scheme.

National Action Plan for Senior Citizen (NAPSrc) had been revamped, renamed as Atal VayoAbhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) and subsumed in April 2021.

Under the umbrella Scheme, Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), an Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides financial assistance to eligible organization’s for running and maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes/ Continuous Care Homes to improve the quality of life of the senior citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities, entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.

The Achievements under IPSrC through various activities are that presently a total of 552 Senior Citizen Homes, 14 Continuous care homes, 19 mobile Medicare units and 5 physiotherapy clinics are being assisted and maintained by different NGOs across the country.

Nearly 1.5 lakh beneficiaries are staying in the Senior Citizen homes. 361 districts across the country have been covered.

Another component under the AVYAY Scheme is Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), to provide eligible senior citizens suffering from any of the age-related disability/ infirmity, with assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/ infirmity manifested such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities

Financial criteria for beneficiaries are either the Senior Citizen belongs to ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) category or he/ she has income up to Rs. 15,000 (Rupees Fifteen Thousand) per month.

The Achievements under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) through various implementing agencies are that a total of 269 camps have been held till date and the Number of beneficiaries of this camp is over 4 lakhs.

There is a national helpline number namely Elderline for Senior Citizens. A Toll-free No. 14567 was launched on 1st October 2021 to provide free information, Guidance, Emotional Support and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.

Elderline is operational from 8 am to 8 pm, all 7 days of the week which is active in 31 States/UTs

Through this initiative, the government strives to create an environment where senior citizens can live a life of dignity, respect, and fulfilment, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the nation.

There are five schemes under the Umbrella Scheme

1. Poshan Abhiyan for the elderly

2. Livelihood and skilling initiatives for senior citizens

3. Scheme on promoting the silver economy

4. Awareness generation and capacity building for the welfare of senior citizens

5. Channelizing CSR funds for elderly care