In the year 2017 a scheme was implemented for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category called as Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. This scheme is a Central Sector Scheme which is fully funded by the Central Government. The expenditure for implementation of the scheme is being met from the “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund”.
The Scheme is being implemented by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Importance of the Scheme
The population of senior citizens in India is 10.38 crore according to the 2011 census report among which more than 70% of the population of senior citizens live in rural areas of the country.A sizeable percentage (5.2%) of the senior citizens suffers from some sort of disabilities related to old age. Projections indicate that the number of elderly population will increase to around 173 million by 2026.
The Central Sector Scheme to provide Physical aids and Assisted Living Devices for such senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, who belong to BPL category has been devised by the Government.
Duration
The Scheme duration is for period of the 3 years ie. upto 2019-20.
Eligibility
Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Hearing impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability will be provided with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested. The Scheme is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens across the country.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar /Proof of identity – Passport, Voter ID, Driving license
- Proof of BPL status – certificate from the District Authority for eligibility / BPL ration card / proof of receiving Old Age Pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) / Any other Pension Scheme of the State/UT Government for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category
- Certificate from the Medical Officer required for loss of vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disability requiring use of wheelchair.
Devices Supported
Depending upon the physical impairment of the senior citizens the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices will be provided to eligible elderly beneficiary senior citizens under the scheme.
- Walking sticks
- Elbow crutches
- Walkers / Crutches
- Tripods / Quadpods
- Hearing Aids
- Wheelchair
- Artificial Dentures
- Spectacles
Salient Features of the scheme
- Corresponding to the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested among the eligible senior citizens, distribution of the devices is done which is free of cost.
- The assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment in case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person.
- One year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices will be undertaken by ALIMCO.
- Through a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations.
- As far as possible, 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women.
- The State Government/UT Administration/District Level Committee can also utilize the data of BPL beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UT for identification of senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
- The devices will be distributed in Camp mode.
Districts Covered under RVY
Almost all states and Union Territories major cities in India is covered under RVY scheme
