Well-being of Senior Citizens is a constitutional mandate which needs to be implemented in full spirit to have a visible impact.
The first policy on older people was introduced in 1999 and post that no other national policy has been implemented.
According to a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has given 11 assurances in Parliament since 2011 about bringing in a new policy. However, a draft of the National Policy for Senior Citizens from 2011 is yet to be finalised.
The delay in implementing a revised policy reflects the level of importance and value we attach to Senior Citizens of India.
The need for revised policy and focus on issues of eldercare cannot be overlooked anymore. Policy makers and stakeholders need to understand the importance and prioritise Aged Care in the overall development plans of the country.
The attached Standing Committee Report Summary on Implementation of Schemes for the Welfare of Senior Citizens by PRS Legislative Research confirms that no official policy for Senior Citizens has been approved post 1999.
It is surprising to see that even after 24 years of implementing the first National Policy, as a developing Nation we are struggling to implement a revised and updated policy.
In my opinion, individual stakeholders who are passionate about the cause of Aged Care need to invest their time and intellectual bandwidth to support the government in developing a realistic and implementable person-centered policy.
Pankaj Mehrotra