2019 – Posted in: Press Information Bureau

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana for Senior Citizens of BPL category

(Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment)

WHAT

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced a scheme for providing physical aids and Assisted-Living Devices for Senior Citizens belonging to BPL category named “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)” on 1st April, 2017.

OBJECTIVE

The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana was launched with the objective of providing Senior Citizens, belonging to Below Poverty Level (BPL) category and suffering from age-related disabilities/ infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions.

ASSISTED LIVING DEVICES

Walking Sticks, Elbow Crutches, Walkers/ Crutches, Tripods/ Quadpods, Hearing Aids, Wheelchairs, Artificial Dentures and Spectacles.

They are provided free of cost to the beneficiary senior citizens or who are aged above 60 years.

FUNDING

This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government.
The expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from the “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund”

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

The Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency – Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

SALIENT FEATURES

Free of cost distribution of the devices, commensurate with the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested among the eligible senior citizens.
In the case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) will undertake one-year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices.
Beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations through a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector.
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.

SENIOR CITIZEN WELFARE FUND

The fund is administered by an Inter-Ministerial Committee which is headed by a chairperson.
It was established in 2015.
Fund gets money from unclaimed deposits of Public Provident Fund PPF and Employee Provident Fund EPF.
The money in accounts that have been inoperative for more than seven years will be diverted in this fund.

Source: PIB

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