The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has provided an update on the implementation of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), specifically through its Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC). The program provides financial assistance through grant-in-aid to eligible organizations including Non-Governmental Organizations, State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and local bodies for establishing and maintaining facilities for senior citizens.
Currently, 764 Senior Citizen Homes, 13 Continuous Care Homes, 17 Mobile Medicare Units, and 3 Physiotherapy Clinics are being supported under IPSrC. These facilities provide residential care and support services with particular emphasis on ensuring shelter and care for indigent senior citizens, along with mobile healthcare services and physiotherapy facilities.
The scheme has three key components: Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), and Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs). Each RRTC receives annual financial support of ₹19.58 lakh to strengthen outreach, capacity building, and service delivery for senior citizens. These centers function as regional nodal agencies for capacity building, training, research, documentation, awareness generation, and advocacy on ageing and senior citizen welfare.
Under the State Action Plan component, financial assistance is provided to State and Union Territory Governments for initiatives including developing a pool of trained geriatric caregivers, organizing special cataract surgery drives, and implementing other approved welfare interventions. States and Union Territories may utilize up to 20% of their allocated funds for state-specific programs to encourage local innovation and address state-specific needs, subject to the scheme's provisions. Funding is only admissible for components approved under AVYAY, and states are expected to contribute their own resources to supplement the central funds.
The scheme represents an integrated framework combining institutional care, state-level planning, and regional capacity building to address the varied needs of India's ageing population, with emphasis on dignity, care, and improved access to welfare services.