By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Government is planning to introduce Aadhar-based Smart cards for senior citizens of the country. A proposal is under consideration for formulation of the scheme under the ministry of social justice and empowerment. It is envisaged that the proposed Smart Card would contain all the relevant details including health related information.

Thaawarchand Gehlot, minister for Social Justice and Empowerment said this during the second meeting of the national council of senior citizens organized by the ministry on Monday.

Gehlot informed that Rastriya Vayoshri Yojana for free of cost distribution of physical aids and assisted- living devices to senior citizens belonging to BPL category was launched by the ministry which aims at providing senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities or infirmities, such assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions.

The minister said that at present, there is no central legislation or executive order prescribing minimum standards for the services and facilities to be made available in Old Age homes across sectors, either run by private, central or state Government. “It has been observed that there are widespread disparities in the services offered and facilities available in various Old Age Homes. Therefore, it has been considered desirable that certain standards be evolved and prescribed for such homes, touching all facets of their functioning from infrastructure, facilities to manpower etc. so that a senior citizens getting admitted to the home could legitimately expect certain level of standardized service. Action for evolving the standards and method of its statutory prescription is underway,” said the minister.

The national council of senior citizens advises Central and State governments on the entire gamut of issues related to welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life.

