Page 21 - NIS English 1-15 June 2023

Senior Citizen Cover Story

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana
PM Vaya Vandana Yojana
Yojana was launched on July
21, 2017. In this, by investing
Rs 1,62,162 to Rs 15 lakh in a lump sum, any elderly person is entitled to avail
of monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annual pension. The last date to join the
scheme was March 31, 2023. A fixed interest rate is given in this. In this, the
maximum monthly pension is Rs 9250. While the quarterly pension is Rs. 27,750,
the half-yearly pension is Rs. 55,500. And the maximum annual pension is
Rs.1,11,000. More than 6 lakh elders have invested in this scheme.

Senior Citizens Welfare Fund Priority in vaccination
n The Senior Citizens Welfare Fund has been during the Covid period
set up under the Finance Act, 2015. It is
n During the Covid period, PM Modi,
used on schemes in line with the National
in his address to the nation, first
Policy on Older Persons. The amount lying
advised the elderly not to leave
unclaimed in small savings schemes,
their homes to keep them safe. Even
employee provident funds, insurance
when vaccination started, priority
schemes, and coal mine provident fund
was given to the elderly. Not only the
accounts is transferred to this fund. So far,
first dose but also the precautionary
Rs. 316 crore has been spent.
dose was given to them first.

age has wrinkles, do not let them fall on the
heart." Never let your soul get old. However,
due to the actions of some close relatives,
these wrinkles are now appearing on the
faces of very old people before their time.
In the coming years, the elderly population Be it economic or social, our
will rapidly increase. Villages are home to government is working to ensure that
approximately 71% of the elderly population. senior citizens remain self-reliant.
The Government of India is implementing At the core of our various schemes is
various schemes and programmes to provide that the life of senior citizens should
a better life to senior citizens with strong social be simple and easy. For this, Pradhan
and inter-generational bonds in order to make Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana was
their lives happier, empowered, dignified, and also started. Under this scheme,
self-reliant. The Central Government is also citizens above 60 years of age get an
aware of the need for love, care, medical care, assured return of 8 percent interest
and housing for senior citizens. for 10 years. If the rate falls below 8
These schemes include Atal Vayo
Abhyudaya Yojana, Integrated Programme for percent, then the government again
Senior Citizens, State Action Plan for Senior compensates it.
Citizens, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, Livelihood
and Skill Initiative for Senior Citizens, Senior - Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

New India Samachar June 1-15, 2023 19