Did The Budget 2024-25 Intentionally Forgot The Word ‘Senior Citizen’? – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Sailesh Mishra

It’s very shocking and surprising that how in ‘Viksit Bharat’ 149 million Senior Citizens don’t have any place. Is this country not for Old people ? 

According to recently released Govt Economic Survey 2024, it is strongly mentioned that there is Urgent need for structured Elder care policies in India.  

In fact Niti Aayog report of 2023 on Age Care also highlighted the need to address issues of Ageing population in the area of *Health Care, Social Engagement, Financial Stability and Security and Digital wellbeing. 

But the Finance Minister who is 65 plus and where there are around 200 MP’s who are Senior Citizens, did not find it worth to acknowledge 60 plus Population. The  Elders have spent whole life taking care of their family, struggle for work, pay their taxes, their life helped in country development, they retire working for community, nation. BUT the Nation forgets to give them their SILVER DIVIDENT, their right to health care, security, independence and financial stability.  

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has been allocated Rs 13,539 crore in the 2024-2025 budget, out of this only 279 Crore is allotted to Ageing. i.e. 2 % ONLY, why this discrimination with 10% of the population of this country  ? is it not Ageism ? 

We 149 million Senior Citizens (60 plus) expected some of our demands with Current Government:

1. Restoration of Senior Citizens Railway concession which were withdrawn during pandemic – which is majorly used by poor and middle class 
2. Withdrawal of 18% GST on Mediclaim and on Senior Citizens services and accommodation 
3. Inclusion of all 60 plus people in ‘Ayushman Bharat health scheme’ irrespective of class and income, for free access and quality healthcare
4. Increased old age pension of Rs. 3000/- to all non-taxpayer Seniors – 90% of Indian Seniors don’t have any Social Security 
5. There is need for program / action plan for homeless and childless Seniors for their shelter, food, financial security and health care. 
6. Implementation of National Policy of Senior Citizens, which is being on hold since 1999  
7. Urgent need for National Dementia Policy for fast growing non curable brain disorder, which is at present at 10% of older population
8. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019, its pending amendment bill in parliament for Senior Citizens Safety, security, elder care provisions  
9. Senior Citizen-Friendly Public Infrastructure: need to implement age-friendly public infrastructure and transportation systems to facilitate mobility and independence for senior citizens.
10. What happened to Senior Citizens Welfare Fund act 2015 ( SCWF), National Centre for Ageing, ‘National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly(NPHCE)’ , Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED)-Portal, Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR Groups): Elder Self Help groups?
11. What is the update on National Senior Citizens Helpline – 14567 ? it is not working in full capacity for want of fund. 

Way forward: 

We don’t need slogans, we don’t need announcement, WE need concrete steps from government with adequate budgetary allocations which guarantees safety, security, human rights and dignity of 149 million Senior Citizens.

We expect Empathy and Not Sympathy from our Law makers. We need to look beyond subsidy, teerth yatra, symbolic distribution of assisted devices, WE need constructive action plan with budgetary allocation for our Senior Citizens, this decade is crucial for India, if we don’t look beyond youth then we will create the golden asset as ‘liability’, look at Japan, China and EU they are struggling to look after their Older population.  

We at Silver Innings and JAC personally feel, THAT unless you have a single point nodal agency for ageing, like a National Commission or Ministry, 149 million Grandparent will continue to get step motherly treatment from the children of this Nation.  Remember we all will grow old and by 2050 there will be more then 375 Million Seniors! 

We all need Vikshit Bharat, BUT Not without our Older People, Leave No One Behind! 

Sailesh Mishra is the Founder of Silver Innings Group a community dedicated to Senior Citizens in India. He is a social entrepreneur and mentor, and is as a renowned international social activist working for the welfare of senior citizens and dementia care.

Gender, Social Inclusion and Union Budget 2024-25

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