Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: A Comprehensive Initiative for the Welfare of Senior Citizens

The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India.

What is Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana ?

• This scheme recognizes the invaluable contribution made by the elderly to society and seeks to ensure their well-being and social inclusion.
• The government aims to empower and uplift them, ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.
• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, being the Nodal Department for welfare of senior citizens, is implementing various programs and schemes.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme, which is formerly known as National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana Objective

The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active aging through providing support for capacity building of State/ UT Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / local bodies and the community at large.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana Components

Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is to provide eligible senior citizens suffering from any of the age-related disability/ infirmity, with assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions such as low vision, hearing impairment
• Financial criteria for beneficiaries are either the Senior Citizen belongs to ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) category or he/ she has income up to Rs. 15,000 (Rupees Fifteen Thousand) per month.
• The Achievements under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) through various implementing agencies are that a total of 269 camps have been held till date and the Number of beneficiaries of this camp is over 4 lakhs.
• There is a national helpline number namely Elderline for Senior Citizens to provide free information, Guidance, Emotional Support and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.

Significance Of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been working towards creating an inclusive and equitable society for all its citizens.
• Over the past nine years, the Ministry has launched several schemes and initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized sections of society
• Including students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes through Scholarships, Elderly Citizens, Safai Karmcharis, and Transgender people.

Need Of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

• There has been a steady rise in the population of senior citizens in India.
• The number of elderly persons has increased from 1.98 crore in 1951 to 7.6 crore in 2001, and 10.38 crore in 2011.
• The projections indicate that the number of 60+ in India will increase to 14.3 crore in 2021 and 17.3 crore in 2026.
• A continuous increase in life expectancy means that more people are now living longer.
• General improvement in the health care facilities over the years is one of the main reasons for the continuing increase in the proportion of the population of senior citizens. Ensuring that they not merely live longer, but lead a secure, dignified, and productive life is a major challenge.

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