How much does MOSJE care for Senior Citizens?

How much does MOSJE care for senior Citizens?

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, MOSJE as it is known, is responsible for the welfare of senior citizens in our country. Older Persons are only one of the many areas of this ministry’s concern. Naturally, Senior citizens are given a raw deal when compared to subjects like welfare and protection of backward classes, Tribal welfare, Alcohol and drug abuse, Disabled persons etc. The treatment meted out to the elderly population who constitute nearly 10% of the present population is might bad and appalling. Take a look at this boxed info:

During 2010-11 MOSJE spent out of a total budget of Rs 4300 crores, 8.71% of its budget on 2.19 of population (disabled) as against 1.69% of its budget on 7.5% of population (senior Citizens).

That is where we stand in the eyes of MOSJE. Data for earlier years is not any better. This kind of discrimination and injustice must be fought united by all who are affected, that is, senior citizens themselves. Starting from 2010, consecutively for the past three years, AISCCON has observed 16^th August every year, what is known as “Senior Citizens National Protest Day”. As a result of “chest beating” for many years, MOSJE, at last appears to have started listening to our problems.

Appended is a table giving details ofbudget and expenditure of MOSJE. It gives total allotment for 12^th five year plan, Estimated budget, revised budget and actual expenditure, Budget allocation for 2012-13, and lastly budget allocation for 2013-14. There is a semblance of allocation of funds for seniors’ welfare. Let us examine the particulars.

Consider the allocation on various items of concern for older persons for 2013-14, total provision in 12^th plan and pro-rate annual and how MOSJE is faring:

SN	Item	2013-14	Pro-rata Annual	Entire 12th Plan	Remarks
1	OAH	NIL	NIL	NIL	Disappointing
2	Helpline at National Level	5	0.4	2	V Good
3	Helplines district level	2	3.6	18	Less
4	NCSC	2	7	70	Far less
5	National Trust	2	7	70	Far less
6	NPOP	2	3	15	OK
7	IPOP	2	3	15	OK
8	MWPSCA	2	5	50	Far less
9	IPOP	4.5	88	440	Abysmally low

This in itself is somewhat encouraging, though much more is expected. Considering the annual plan of action – to be discussed in another post shortly – we can confidently hope that MOSJE is turning a leaf and we are in for good times. Let us wait and see.