As per report of Technical Group on Population Projections constituted by the National Commission on Population, between 2011 and 2036, the proportion of population of the older ages (60 years and above) is projected to increase from 10 crores in 2011 to 23 crores in 2036 - an increase in their share to the total population from 8.4 to 14.9 percent.

 Recognizing the growing needs of the elderly population and to mitigate the hardships being faced by them, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing an umbrella scheme, namely Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) w.e.f. 01.04.2021 for the Welfare of Senior Citizens across the country. Under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) of AVYAY, Grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations for running and maintaining Senior Citizen Homes (old age homes), Continuous Care Homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainments are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens.

Under the IPSrC, proposals are invited for providing financial support to the new old age homes located in gap districts and districts having insufficient capacity of old age homes. At present, 696 Senior Citizen Homes are functioning across the country, covering 29 States/UTs under the scheme in which 84 new Senior Citizen Homes have been selected during the current FY i.e. 2025-26 as per scheme guidelines.

 ‘Land’ and ‘Colonization’ fall under Entry 18 of List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, and are thus subjects within the legislative competence of the State Governments. However, in order to provide a uniform framework and facilitate the States/UTs, Model Guidelines for Development and Regulation of Retirement Homes were formulated and circulated by the Central Government. These Guidelines are intended to serve as a guiding document for States/UTs to incorporate suitable provisions in their respective legislations and regulations for safeguarding the rights and interests of senior citizens and retirees residing in Retirement Homes

Further, the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), enacted by the Parliament, aims to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the real estate sector. The provisions of RERA are fully applicable to Retirement Homes, treating them at par with other real estate projects. This ensures protection of the interests of homebuyers, including senior citizens and other vulnerable residents from any violations or malpractices by developers. Furthermore, RERA mandates strict compliance with applicable norms and local laws by real estate developers during the execution of such projects.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today

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KV

(Rajya Sabha USQ 2064)

(Release ID: 2153127)