The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) 1999 India

The National Policy for Older Persons
(NPOP) 1999
Silver Inning Foundation
The College of Social Work,
Nirmala Niketan Extension- Centre
Goregaon , Mumbai
By
Silver Innings Group
A1 Snehanjali
1

Ageing In India
 India is a vast country both in terms of area as well as population.
With 28 State & 7 Union Territories ,It has a total area of 3,288,000
square kilometers. Its Total population as on 2011 1.21 billion ,
Male 623.7 million (51.54%) , Female 586.5 million (48.46%) .
Sex ratio : 940 females per 1,000 males. Currently. India's 50%
population is below the age of 25.
 India is gradually undergoing a demographic change. With
decline in fertility and mortality rates accompanied by an
improvement in child survival and increased life expectancy, a
significant feature of demographic change is the progressive
increase in the number of elderly persons
 Elderly are the most ignored and neglected segment
Silver Inning Foundation 2

Key Figures
 Aged as per 2001 Census 76 Million: 7.5% of Total population
(76 million) ,in 2010 it was estimated 96 million. 2012 – 100
Million around 9%
 Aged Male : 7.1% of total population
 Aged Female : 7.8% of total population
 According to UN by 2050, nearly 20% of India’s population
will comprise of people over the age of 60 years
 General population in Rural 72.2% People in Urban 27.8% as on
2001 .According to UN urban population in India will increase
from 30 % in 2010 to more than 50 % by 2045.
 35% Elderly in BPL ( Below Poverty Line) ,around 60% in Rural
India , 90% no social security
 Soon India will cross 10% ? - An Ageing Nation .India has 2nd
largest number of Elderly

Key Figures ….Contd
 According to UNICEF Life expectancy in India :
 In 1951 42 yrs
 In 1970 49 yrs
 In 1990 58 yrs
 In 2005 64 yrs
 In 2008 68.6 yrs
 There is 60% increase in 60 yrs of lifespan
 63 % old population in 1991 (36 million) was in the age group
60-69years.
 53% Female & 47% Male Aged and out of total aged 50% are
widow
 Drastic change in 3 segment :Young Old (60- 69 yrs ), Old Old ( 70
– 79yrs ) Very Old ( 80+ yrs)

 53% Female , 47% Male : Aged in India
 WHO's representative to India Dr Nata Menabde : She said,
"Women's longer life-spans compared to men, combined with
the fact that men tend to marry women younger than
themselves, mean that the number of widows will increase
rapidly."
 She added, "Being a male-dominated society and given the fact
that women in India rely on their husbands for the provision of
economic resources and social status, a large percentage of
older women are at risk of dependency, isolation, and/or
dire poverty and neglect."
Feminization of Ageing

India Pyramid 2000
7

India Pyramid 2050
8

 UN General Assembly convened the First World Assembly
on Ageing in 1982, which produced a 62-point “Vienna
International Plan of Action on Ageing”. It called for
specific action on such issues as health and
nutrition, protecting elderly consumers, housing and
environment, family, social welfare, income security and
employment, education, and the collection and analysis
of research data.
Vienna International Plan of Action on
Ageing 1982

 In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Principles for Older Persons, enumerating 18
entitlements for older persons — relating to
Independence, Participation, Care, Self-fulfillment and
Dignity. The following year, the International Conference
on Ageing met to follow-up on the Plan of Action,
adopting a Proclamation on Ageing. Following the
Conference's recommendation, the UN General Assembly
declared 1999 the International Year of Older Persons.
UNITED NATION

Madrid International Plan of Action on
Ageing 2002 (MIPAA)
 MIPAA was adopted at the United Nations Second
World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in
2002. Subsequently, the General Assembly
endorsed the Plan on December 2002 during its
57th session.
 The Second World Assembly on Ageing brought
together delegates from more than 160
Governments, intergovernmental institutions
and NGOs to respond to the opportunities and
challenges of population ageing.

MIPAA
 MIPAA responds to the opportunities and challenges of
population ageing and promotes the development of a
‘Society for all Ages’.
 It calls on Governments to integrate the rights and
needs of older persons into national and international,
economic and social development policies.
 The aim is "to ensure that persons everywhere are able
to age with security and dignity and to continue to
participate in their societies as citizens with full rights"
(para. 10).

MIPAA
 MIPA is a practical tool to assist policymakers to focus on
the key priorities associated with population ageing.
 It addresses a wide range of issues with implications for
the lives of older people around the world including:
 social protection, health, urbanization, labour,
education, nutrition, training of carers, housing,
infrastructure, and images of ageing.

MIPAA: The three priority directions
outlined in the Plan are
 1) Older persons and development;
 2) Advancing health and well-being into old age;
 3) Ensuring enabling and supportive
environments.

Human Rights of Senior Citizens
• An adequate standard of living, including adequate food,
shelter and clothing.
• Adequate social security, assistance and protection
• Freedom from discrimination based on age or any
other status, in all aspects of life including employment
and access to housing, heath care and social services
• The highest possible standard of health
• Be treated with dignity
• Protection from neglect and all types of physical or
mental abuse
• Full and effective participate in decision-making
concerning their well-being

Indian Constitution
Well-being of older persons has been mandated in the Constitution of
India. Article 41, a Directive Principle of State Policy, has directed that
the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and
development, make effective provision for securing the right of public
assistance in cases of old age.
There are other provisions, too, which direct the State to improve the
quality of life of its citizens.
Right to equality has been guaranteed by the Constitution as a
Fundamental Right. These provisions apply equally to older persons.
Social security has been made the concurrent responsibility of the
Central and State Governments.

 The Indian government after many years of debate finally declared the National
Policy of the Older Persons in January 1999, the International Year of the Older
Persons. The policy highlights the rising elderly population and an urgent need
to understand and deal with the medical, psychological and socio-economic
problems faced by the elderly. However what the policy did emphasize was on
the dominant role the non governmental organizations should play to assist the
government in bringing forth a society where the needs and the priorities of the
elderly are taken into account. It recognized the Older Persons as a Resource of
the Country.
 In view of changing needs of Senior Citizens over the past decade, Government
decided to review this Policy and got it reviewed by a Review Committee, which
has submitted Revised National Policy for Senior Citizens,2011 (NPSC, 2011) to
Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment on 30-3-11.
National Policy of the Older Persons
(NPOP) 1999
17

The National Policy Statement includes
the following
 Ensuring the well-being of the elderly so that they do not
become marginalised, unprotected or ignored
 Protection on various fronts like financial security, health
care, shelter and welfare, including protection against abuse and
exploitation
 Ensuring for the elderly, an equitable share in the benefits of
development as well as addressing the neglect of elderly
women on three counts viz. age, widowhood and gender
 Promoting an age-integrated society by adopting
mechanisms for improving inter-generational ties
 Considering the elderly as a resource by advocating their
inclusion within the family, community and society
 Viewing the elderly as an agency which needs to be
empowered, with regard to their voice and representation
 Recognizing the need for expansion of social and community
services with universal accessibility

 FINANCIAL SECURITY / Income
 HEALTHCARE AND NUTRITION
 EDUCATION
 WELFARE
 PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
 Shelter / Housing
 Basic facilities
 NGOs
 Research & Training
The salient features of the NPOP
19

Implementation

Role of Government
 The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment As
nodal ministry
 A separate bureau of older persons will be set up
 An Inter-Ministerial Committee will coordinate matters
relating to implementation
 States will be encouraged to set up separate Directorates
of Older Persons and set up machinery for coordination
and monitoring
 State level council for senior citizens (quarterly reviews)
 Budgetary Provision
 Various Ministry Policy , Concession’s , Subsidy
 Laws and Act

Support from Civil Society
 Non Governmental Organisations
 Realizing the Potential (Rtd Professionals)
 Family
 Research
 Training of Man Power
 Media

Govt in coordination with senior citizens
Assn
 An autonomous National Council for Older Persons headed by
the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment
 Adequate representation will be given to non-official members
representing Non-Government Organisations, Academic Bodies,
Media and Experts on Ageing issues from different fields.

Role of Senior citizens
• An autonomous registered National Association of Older
Persons (NAOPS)
• The Association will have National, State and District level
offices and will choose its own bearers.
• The Government will provide financial support to establish the
National and State level offices
• District level offices will be established by the Association from
its own resources

Action Plan
 Action plan for dissemination
 The policy will make a change in the lives of the senior citizens only if it is
implemented. Collaborative Action will be taken between different agencies
 Five year and Annual action plans will be prepared by each ministry to
implement aspects which concern them. Targets will be set within the
framework of a time schedule. Responsibility for implementation of action
points will be specified.
 The planning commission and the finance ministry will facilitate
budgetary provisions required for implementation. The Annual report of each
ministry will indicate progress achieved during the year.
 Every three years a detailed review will be prepared by the nodal ministry on
the implementation of the National policy.

Action Plan ………
 Panchayat Raj institutions will be encouraged to
participate in the implementation of the national policy,
address local levels issues and needs of the ageing and
implement programs for them.
 In order to ensure effective implementation of the policy
t different levels, from time to time the help of experts
of public administration shall be taken to prepare the
details of the organizational setup for the
implementation, coordination and monitoring of the
policy.

BUT Since 1999……..
 Now in 2013 nothing happened ?
 1st oct 2013 Senior Citizens Policy was passed by
Maharashtra Govt Cabinet , mandates 65yrs as ‘Senior
Citizens’

National Policy on Senior Citizens
(NPSC) 2011
 (Draft submitted to Union Minister for Social Justice &
Empowerment – Govt. of India in March 2011)
 Chairperson : Dr. Mrs . Mohini Giri
 Members :
 Mr. M.M. Sabharwal
 Mr. K.R. Gangadharan
 Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan
 Member Secretary :
 Mr. P.P. Mitra
 Sub committees 5

NPSC 2011 : Need
 1/8th of the Worlds Elderly Population lives in India. Most of them will
never retire in the usual sense of the term and will continue to work as
long as physically possible. Inevitably though the disability to produce and
earn will decline with age. The absence on savings will result in sharp
declining in living standards that for many can mean destitution. Therefore
this is the challenge of old age income security in India.
 As a result of the current ageing scenario, there is a need for all aspects of
care for the Oldest Old (80+ years) namely, socio economic, financial,
health and shelter.
 Problems in any of these areas have an impact on the quality of life in old
age and healthcare when it is needed. Increase in life span also results in
chronic functional disabilities creating a need for assistance required by the
Oldest Old to manage simple chores.
 This policy looks at the increasing longevity of people and lack of
care giving.
 Elderly Women Need Special Attention
 Rural Poor Need Special Attention
 Increasing advancement in technology

Policy Objectives
 Mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, and
bring their concerns into the national development
debate with priority to implement mechanisms already
set by governments and supported by civil society and
senior citizens associations.
 Promote the concept of “Ageing in Place” or ageing in
own home, housing, income security and homecare
services, old age pension and access to healthcare
insurance schemes and other programmes and services
to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age.
 The thrust of the policy would be preventive rather than
cure.

Policy Objectives ……
 The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It
recognises that care of senior citizens has to remain vested in the
family which would partner the community, government and the
private sector.
 Being a signatory to the Madrid Plan of Action and Barrier Free
Framework it will work towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-
friendly society.
 Recognise that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the
country and create an environment that provides them with equal
opportunities, protects their rights and enables their full
participation in society. Towards achievement of this directive, the
policy visualises that the states will extend their support for senior
citizens living below the poverty line in urban and rural areas

Policy Objectives …..
 Long term savings instruments and credit activities will be
promoted to reach both rural and urban areas.
 Employment in income generating activities
 Support and assist organisations that provide counselling,
career guidance and training services.
 States will be advised to implement the Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and set up
Tribunals so that elderly parents unable to maintain themselves
are not abandoned and neglected.
 States will set up homes with assisted living facilities for
abandoned senior citizens in every district of the country and
there will be adequate budgetary support.Silver Inning Foundation 32

World Day’s
 1st Oct International Day of Older Persons , since
1991
 15th June World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, since
2012
 21st Sep , World Alzheimer’s Day , since 2012

A Society for all Ages
 “A society for all ages encompasses the goal of
providing older persons with the opportunity
to continue contributing to society. To work
towards this goal, it is necessary to remove
whatever excludes or discriminates against
them”

 Maharashtra Government , Social Justice Ministry :
 http://www.maha-socialjustice.gov.in/index.php/special-
assistance-schemes
 Silver Innings :
http://www.silverinnings.com/docs/news%20n%20info/art
icles/facilities%20given%20to%20senior%20citizens.pdf
 Government of India, MSJE :
 http://socialjustice.nic.in/consd.php
 M.V.Ruparelia http://blog.rediff.com/mvrup
 ISEC:http://www.isec.ac.in/BKPAI%20Working%20pap
er%205.pdf
 Thanks to TISS – UNFPA – ISEC – IEG
References
36

Thanks
“Ageing is not 'lost youth‘
but a new stage of opportunity and strength"
It’s Silver Inning Foundation Presentation
Website :www.silverinnings.com
Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
Tel: 9987104233 / 9029000091/9323919145

The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) 1999 India

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