The Union Budget 2022-23 will be considered in the Parliament on February 1. India boasts an estimated 140 million elderly people. The demands relate to income and social security, education, and geriatric services.
NEW DELHI: Organizations that help the wellbeing of senior citizens are bringing the urgency of providing assistance and addressing systemic inequality to the forefront of the urgency.Among other demands, the Union Budget 2022-23 will be considered in the Parliament on February 1.India boasts an estimated 140 million elderly people.The demands relate to income and social security, education, and geriatric services, as well as providing a supportive environment for elders with benefits such as provision for skill development and retooling centers; and offering GST exemptions for services and products that are commonly used by the elderly, such as adult diapers, medical supplies, and healthcare equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
The Agewell Foundation suggested a program to re-engage the seniors to exploit the untapped potential of older people, who have experience, wisdom, wisdom, knowledge, time, and, above all, zeal to work in old age to keep themselves engaged and connected with the mainstream, echoing the demand for increasing the old-age pension.It even suggested a name for the proposed scheme, namely Prime Ministers Self-Employment Scheme for Retired and Senior Citizens (PM SSRSC).Himanshu Rath, the founder-chairman of the Agewell Foundation, said, Old people are facing various challenges today.Making elderly-friendly budgetary cuts would certainly play a vital role in supporting the country's growing number of older adults. Both organizations also launched a volley of demands quoting new studies.Agewell Foundation found that the budgetary provisions would address issues concerning older adults in a greater extent after conducting a survey of 5,000 elderly people around the country in January 2022.According to 81% of the elderly respondents, the government should take into account problems affecting them.The latest findings of the Longitudinal Study of Ageing in India (LASI), according to HelpAge India, have highlighted the similarities between income and health security: Around 70% of the population are affected by chronic diseases, while only around 30% of the rural elderly in BPL households are eligible for old-age pension contributions. Up to 36% of seniors are employed, much higher in rural areas (40%) than in urban areas (26%), and the bulk of them are in the unorganized sector.