NEW DELHI: An evaluation of finances expectations of senior residents attracts consideration to their concern over accessible infrastructure and excessive charges of GST relevant on most of the providers and products used by the aged amongst different issues.
The evaluation, primarily based on a survey by Agewell Foundation involving interactions with 10,000 aged individuals from throughout states, brings into focus the aspirations of senior residents within the current period, marked by nuclear households. Nearly 76% of older individuals steered that the federal government ought to make products and providers like grownup diapers and wheelchairs exempt from GST or place them in decrease GST price slabs. Approximately 2/third of respondents (6785 out of 10000 respondents) opined that previous age pension schemes ought to be extra life like and the month-to-month pension quantity ought to be elevated.
Foundation’s founder chairman Himanshu Rath stated, “As per the analysis conducted in mid-January, it was found that 76% of elderly respondents admitted that because of the growing elderly population, the government should focus on their special requirements.”
Rath said the survey revealed that 52% of respondents were in favour of more tax-free investment options and financial security measures, exclusively for older persons.
Concerns over nutrition also weighed in the minds of the elderly with 65% of the respondents (6505 out of 10000 respondents) suggesting that government should make necessary provisions in the coming budget for providing nutri-kits to the elderly from BPL families every month and prioritize healthcare and support systems for older persons from underprivileged and marginalised sections.
The analysis is telling with regard to concern over accessibility of public spaces. Nearly 71% of elderly respondents sought provisions for an age- friendly environment across the country, ensuring that public spaces and services are accessible to older persons. As many as 36% of the respondents also said that there should be door-step healthcare services for the elderly.
Nearly 1/3rd (32%) of respondents wanted the government to ensure online counselling for all kinds of psychological/medical/financial/legal issues being faced by older persons. Also, given that many elderly wish to work post retirement, the analysis highlights that 37% of respondents suggested that the government should initiate a scheme to create self-employment avenues for senior citizens.
The Foundation has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighting the aspirations of the elderly from the budget in a petition. “Under the social pension scheme, the month-to-month quantity of previous age pension ought to be revised in accordance with prevailing inflation. The present share of the Central authorities within the month-to-month old-age pension should be elevated as much as Rs. 5000 per 30 days for each previous individual. The state authorities also needs to be suggested to switch its share accordingly,” the petition emphasises. The Foundation has additionally steered {that a} self-employment scheme for aged is the necessity of the hour to faucet the unexplored potential of older individuals, who’ve expertise, time, and above all zeal to work in previous age to maintain themselves engaged and linked with the mainstream.
The evaluation, primarily based on a survey by Agewell Foundation involving interactions with 10,000 aged individuals from throughout states, brings into focus the aspirations of senior residents within the current period, marked by nuclear households. Nearly 76% of older individuals steered that the federal government ought to make products and providers like grownup diapers and wheelchairs exempt from GST or place them in decrease GST price slabs. Approximately 2/third of respondents (6785 out of 10000 respondents) opined that previous age pension schemes ought to be extra life like and the month-to-month pension quantity ought to be elevated.
Foundation’s founder chairman Himanshu Rath stated, “As per the analysis conducted in mid-January, it was found that 76% of elderly respondents admitted that because of the growing elderly population, the government should focus on their special requirements.”
Rath said the survey revealed that 52% of respondents were in favour of more tax-free investment options and financial security measures, exclusively for older persons.
Concerns over nutrition also weighed in the minds of the elderly with 65% of the respondents (6505 out of 10000 respondents) suggesting that government should make necessary provisions in the coming budget for providing nutri-kits to the elderly from BPL families every month and prioritize healthcare and support systems for older persons from underprivileged and marginalised sections.
The analysis is telling with regard to concern over accessibility of public spaces. Nearly 71% of elderly respondents sought provisions for an age- friendly environment across the country, ensuring that public spaces and services are accessible to older persons. As many as 36% of the respondents also said that there should be door-step healthcare services for the elderly.
Nearly 1/3rd (32%) of respondents wanted the government to ensure online counselling for all kinds of psychological/medical/financial/legal issues being faced by older persons. Also, given that many elderly wish to work post retirement, the analysis highlights that 37% of respondents suggested that the government should initiate a scheme to create self-employment avenues for senior citizens.
The Foundation has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighting the aspirations of the elderly from the budget in a petition. “Under the social pension scheme, the month-to-month quantity of previous age pension ought to be revised in accordance with prevailing inflation. The present share of the Central authorities within the month-to-month old-age pension should be elevated as much as Rs. 5000 per 30 days for each previous individual. The state authorities also needs to be suggested to switch its share accordingly,” the petition emphasises. The Foundation has additionally steered {that a} self-employment scheme for aged is the necessity of the hour to faucet the unexplored potential of older individuals, who’ve expertise, time, and above all zeal to work in previous age to maintain themselves engaged and linked with the mainstream.
