The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will distribute assistive devices to senior citizens and conduct a tree plantation drive on Swachh Bharat Diwas. Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and Minister of State Shri B.L. Verma will preside over the distribution of 662 assistive devices worth over ₹10 lakh to 114 senior citizens from Senior Citizens' Homes in New Delhi and the National Capital Region under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
The devices, identified through assessment camps conducted in September 2026, include folding wheelchairs, commode wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, BTE hearing aids, spinal supports, walkers, cervical collars, chairs with commode, knee braces, LS belts, tripods/tetrapods, and silicone foam cushions. The initiative is implemented by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the ministry.
Since its launch on April 1, 2017, the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana has provided more than 55 lakh assistive devices to over 10 lakh senior citizens nationwide, with approximately 45% of beneficiaries being women. Currently, 109 Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Vayoshri Kendras (PMD-VKs) are operational across the country. The scheme is fully funded by the Government of India and aims to provide free assistive devices to senior citizens with age-related physical frailty.
Additionally, Dr. Virendra Kumar will lead an 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree plantation drive at Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation in New Delhi as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign. These initiatives align with the government's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, emphasizing inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and collective responsibility towards a cleaner, greener India.