Senior Welfare Best Practices Exchange
Schemes for Senior Citizens in KARNATAKA
Compiled and sent by Shri MV Hiremath, Karnataka, Vice President, AISCCON
Objective of the State Policy:
1. To ensure safety of Senior Citizen.
2. To protect the Senior Citizens by providing economic security, Health Care and by
protecting them against exploitation and ill treatment.
3. To formulate programme for Senior Citizens in rural areas to ensure that they also get the benefits that their counter parts in Urban Areas enjoy.
4. To create opportunities for Senior Citizens to lead a productive, perusal and satisfactory life.
5. These policy intents to have an objective of creating a society which includes people of all ages.
6. The state recognizes the fact that senior citizens were also resource full person’s
resourceful persons and are contributing members of the soc iety.
7. This policy has realized importance of allocating budget for the welfare of senior citizens who belong to economically weaker sections.
The State Policy with an objective of providing Health Care Services, Social Security,
Housing and shelter and protection of property and life are some of the aspects are
complained under this policy to be monitor implements for the State Policy. A Task Force has been constituted under the Chairmen ship of the Chief Minister of the State.
• Day Care Center for Senior Citizens:
Dept. has implemented the scheme of Day Care Center in 4 major city corporations
Bangalore, Hubli -Dharawad, Belguam and Gulbarga run through voluntary organization’s in each centers. 50 to 150 beneficiaries are enrolled. For Maintenance of these centers Rs.11.20 Lakhs are being provided. 1002 Senior Citizens are availing benefits in these Day Care Centers.
• Helpline for Senior Citizens:
To provide relief to Senior Citizens from financial exploitation, harassment and mental torture, Helplines are established in the office premises of the Police Superintendents in all 28 districts
Belgaum & Kalburgi of the State Old Age Homes:
For the Welfare of Senior Citizens, Old Age Homes are established in 30 districts, through NGOs at the unit cost of Rs.8.00 Lakhs, Government of Karnataka has released 90% budget, remaining 10% of the expenditure should be spent by Institutions. In each of these centres 25 beneficiaries are availing the services of free food, medicine, entertainment, and Shelter.
Indira Gandhi National Old age Pension:
Senior Citizens aged between 60 to 65 years are being paid Rs.600/ – as old age pension every month and for senior citizen aged between above 65 are paid Rs.1000/-
This scheme is being implemented by the Social Security and Pension Department.
• Senior Citizen ID Cards
Senior citizens in the age 60+ were provided Identity Card through “Seva Sindhu”
Portal.
• Concession to Senior Citizens in Bus pass
The Senior Citizens who have obtained identity cards, voter ID, driving license are eligible to avail 25% concession in KSRTC/BMTC Busses.
• Maintenance of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007:
Department is implementing Government of India Maintenance of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 from 01 -04-2008 and rules have been framed. Maintenance Tribunals have been constituted under the chairmanship of Assistance Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Districts concerned.
Maintenance of Parents and Senior Citizens Act -2007 (central Act – 2007 Rule -56) provided for Establishing Appellate Tribunals under the Act for appealing against the verdict of the Board under sub rule (1) of rule 15 of the Act. Accordingly the Government of Karnataka has established appellate tribunals in each District as per sub rule (2) Deputy Commissioner of the respective Districts are the heads of the tribunals.
State Award:
Govt. of Karnataka has instituted State Award for one Institution for the Best work done for the cause of senior citizens and also awards are given to 06 senior citizens, who have done greater achievement in the field of Art, Literature, Education, Legal Service, Social Work and Sports. The Department invites applications from eligible individual and Institutions.
The applications are scrutinized by the Committee headed by the Hon’ble Minister for Women & Child Development and select the eligible candidates. These awards are presented on the World Senior Citizens Day (October 1st) every year.