CONCESSIONS AND FACILITIES GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS Part 6

CONCESSIONS AND FACILITIES GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS

M.V.Ruparelia

(as of May 2011)

Part 6 MOSJE

24. Ministry of Civil Aviation: i) Indian Airlines is providing 50 per cent Discount on Normal Economy Class fare for all domestic flights to Indian senior citizens who have completed the age of 60 years subject to certain conditions. ii) Air India is offering discount of 55% to senior citizens of 60 plus on flights to USA, UK and Europe on economy class. For Identity card, 2 passport sized photographs have to be submitted along with the form. iii) Sahara Airlines is offering 50% discount on basic fare for travel on its domestic flights only to senior citizens who have attained the age of 62 years. Discount is applicable in economy class only. iv) Kingfisher Airlines offers discount in Business class only for citizens of 65 years or above on sectoral basis. Age proof required. v) Jetlite offers a discount of 50% on economy class for citizens of 65 years or above. One passport sized photograph required on the form along with age proof. vi) Jet Airways offers discount to senior citizens of 65 years or above. For availing discount in domestic flights, senior citizens have to fill up a discount form along with a passport sized photograph and Age proof certificate. Jet Airways also provides Senior Citizen I-Card which is available in all ticket counters and requires 2 passport sized photographs and age proof certificate. For the I- Card, a very nominal amount is charged.

25. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: i) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It had announced the National Policy on Older Persons covering all concerns pertaining to the welfare of older persons. The National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011 is under examination in this Ministry. This Ministry is celebrating World Elder Day on 1^st October every year and give Vayoshreshtha Awards to Senior Citizens doing outstanding work. Maharashtra is not doing this.

ii) The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of senior citizens:

(A) An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (Plan Scheme) – This Scheme has been formulated by revising the earlier scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Programmes relating to the Welfare of the Aged”. Under this Scheme with effect from 1-4-2008, financial assistance up to 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs, Panchayati Raj Institutions/local bodies for establishing and maintaining Programmes catering to basic needs of Older Persons particularly food, shelter & health care; Programmes to build & strengthen inter generational relationships between children, youth & eiders; Programmes for encouraging Active & Productive Ageing; Programmes for providing Institutional as well as Non-institutional Care/Services to Elders; Research, Advocacy & Awareness building Programmes in the fields of Ageing and Any other Programmes in the BEST INTEREST of Older Persons. Schools, Colleges, Educational Institutes & Recognized Youth Organizations starting such Programmes for Older Persons shall be given 100% cost of such Projects. On going Projects under pre-revised scheme shall continue to get grant-in-aid for establishing & maintaining Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, Mobile Medicare Units etc, as in (B) below. 7 Day Care Centres are provided in Navi Mumbai by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. One Day Care Centre is run by Family Welfare Association with help of Mumbai Mahanagar Palika & Sion Hospital. (B) The Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Voluntary Organizations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centres for older persons (Non Plan Scheme) - Under this Scheme, one time construction grant for Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centre is provided to non-governmental organizations on the recommendations of the State Governments/ UT Administrations.(C) National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 99 lays down the formation of National Association of Senior Citizens by the Government with a provision of complete expenditure at Central & State level for initial 15 years for which no concrete action is taken by Government nor any of the Organization working for Senior Citizens has been able to get this done!! If such a National Association is established, it will ensure implementation of NPOP, 99/NPSC, 2011 expeditiously.