Part C (Q9): Explain Social Security measures for Older Persons.

Social security for older persons refers to state-sponsored or legally mandated mechanisms designed to protect them against economic destitution and health crises when they can no longer earn a livelihood. In India, these measures operate across a few key domains:

1. Income Security

• Organized Sector: Employees in the formal sector are covered by statutory schemes like the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Gratuity, and regular pension schemes after retirement.
• Unorganized Sector (The majority): The primary safety net is the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme. It provides a direct monthly cash transfer to destitute older persons belonging to BPL households (Rs. 200/month for ages 60-79, and Rs. 500/month for 80+ from the central government, though states often supplement this).
• Tax Benefits: The Income Tax Act provides significant concessions to senior citizens (higher basic exemption limits) and super senior citizens (80+), along with higher interest rates on fixed deposits to protect their savings from inflation.

2. Legal Security

• The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: This is a vital social security measure. It legally mandates adult children and heirs to provide adequate monthly maintenance to their elderly parents. It established special Tribunals to fast-track these cases without the need for expensive lawyers, ensuring the elderly are not left destitute by their families.

3. Health Security

• National Programme for the Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): This scheme aims to build specialized geriatric care infrastructure, establishing dedicated geriatric wards and OPDs in district hospitals.
• Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): While not exclusively for the elderly, this scheme provides an annual health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per BPL family. It critically benefits the elderly who often face catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditures.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Provides free physical aids and assisted-living devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles, dentures) to BPL senior citizens, ensuring age-related disabilities don't completely erode their quality of life.