GS2 – Governance
Context:
Kerala, which is experiencing the fastest demographic ageing in India, has released a draft policy aimed at providing comprehensive care, legal protection, and decentralised support for senior citizens.
Salient Features of the Draft Policy:
- Mainstreaming Elderly Concerns:
- Elderly welfare issues are integrated into broader State-level plans and institutional mechanisms.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Emphasises integrated care systems, equitable access to services, and institutional support for the elderly.
- Enhanced Legal Provisions:
- Proposes a state-specific legal framework offering stronger protections than existing national laws.
- Financial Commitments:
- Allocates 5% of the State budget and 10% of local government funds for elder care, with an additional property tax cess.
- Monitoring Mechanisms:
- Employs community-based audits and digital tools to track and evaluate service delivery.
- Dedicated Workforce:
- Deploys elder-care officers in each local self-government unit to oversee implementation.
- Institutional Oversight:
- Establishes the Vayojana Commission and Vayojana Council for policy guidance and regulatory oversight.
- Peer Support Networks:
- Encourages the formation of local elderly groups for psychosocial support and community bonding.
- Personalised Care Planning:
- Requires local bodies to submit annual status reports and develop individualised care plans for seniors.
- Disaster Preparedness:
- Creates one-stop elder care centres and mandates geo-tagging of senior citizens’ homes for emergency response.