Give plan for welfare of elderly: Supreme Court to government

The Supreme Court has expressed concern for the over 10 crore senior citizens in the country, a majority of whom are deprived of love, care and respect by their kin in a fast-paced world.

• The court has asked the Centre for a roadmap to provide them basic facilities like shelter, food and healthcare.
• This was based on a PIL that narrated to the court the pitiable condition in which the aged find themselves.

What the PIL says?

We are a trillion dollar economy and yet the central government allocates just Rs 25 crore for welfare of the aged. Of this, more than half does not get spent.

• Also, the government has not taken any action on Mohini Giri’s report on welfare of senior citizens, which was given in 2011.

Background:

• At present, India has a population of 10.38 crore senior citizens. Their number is going to increase to 14.3 crore by 2021. These people are often neglected by their children.
• There are several welfare schemes for the elderly but successive governments’ lack of concern and lethargy towards this section of the population had rendered these schemes non-operational and defunct over the years.
• Besides, no money is allocated by big companies under the corporate social responsibility head.