Senior Welfare Best Practices Exchange
Schemes for Senior Citizens in ODISHA
Compiled and sent by Dr P K Das, Vice President, AISCCON and President FOSCAO, Bhubaneshwar
Benefits offered for Senior Citizen’s in Odisha
❖ A Separate SSEPD Department was created in 2015 to address the problems of senior citizens along with persons with disabilities and transgender. Now we are demanding a separate department exclusively for senior citizens.
❖ “The Odisha State Senior Citizens Policy 2016” in consonance with the National policy for Senior Citizen’s 2011 was launched on 1st October 2016 which reiterates the commitment of the state of Odisha in ensuring its citizens that they are able to age with Security and Dignity and Continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights.
It emphasizes eight areas of intervention namely –
1) Income security in old age,
2) Health Care,
3) Safety and security,
4) Housing,
5) Productive ageing,
6) Welfare,
7) Inter-generational bonding’s,
8) Enhancing involvement & Participation of media on ageing issues.
❖ As part of an integrated initiative for senior citizens the department has launched the new umbrella scheme ‘ABADANA’ in 2017. The scheme will focus on the following broad objectives.
• To improve the quality of life of the Older Persons by providing basic amenities like
shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities.
• To expand outreach activities for welfare of senior citizens and create facilities for
providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to the vulnerable elderly.
• To encourage voluntary action and participation of all stakeholders for ensuring effective implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and both National and State Policy goals.
• To encourage productive and active ageing through providing support for capacity
building of Government / Non-Governmental Organizations / Panchayati Raj Institutions / local bodies and the Community at large.
Integrated Infrastructure Complexes (IICs)
➢ Cabinet Approval was obtained on 09.02.2021 for construction of IICs in all districts. It was decided to take up IIC in two phases.
➢ Old age homes, homes for the destitute, District Disability Rehabilitation Centres, Drug De Addiction Centres, Early Intervention Centres, and Special Schools will be made operational in each IIC with accommodating facilities of 200 beds for Senior Citizens in each IIC.
Odisha Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2009 were
formulated and amended during 2019-20.
➢ Maintenance Tribunals have been constituted in each subdivision and Appellate
Tribunals in each district.
Old Age Homes in the State
➢ 90 Old Age Homes are running in the State, out of which 86 are funded by Government of India directly and 4 by the State Government.
Geriatric Disability Centres
➢ Financial assistance has been provided to several districts for procurement of equipment for Geriatric Disability Centres.
Physiotherapy Clinics and Mobile Medicare Units
➢ Physiotherapy Clinics and Mobile Medicare Units are operationalized in all 30 districts of Odisha under the AVAYA Scheme.
ABADANA Guideline
➢ Steps have been taken towards enhancing digital literacy among senior citizens.
➢ Caregiver training programmes are being initiated through SISER.
Pension Schemes for the Elderlies
➢ Odisha implements Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme and Madhu Babu Pension Scheme.
➢ Pension amounts have been increased from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000 and Rs. 3500 for
persons above 80 years of age.
Transport
➢ Senior citizens are given 50% concession in MO BUS services on production of valid age proof.
Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY)
➢ Senior citizens aged 60–75 years are provided pilgrimage opportunities with
Government assistance.
Security
➢ Every police station has a nodal officer for addressing senior citizen safety concerns.
Helpline For Senior Citizens.
➢ National Helpline 14567 has been made fully operational for grievance registration and redressal.