3-Aug-2021: Implementation of RVY

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme on 01.04.2017 for providing physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens belonging to BPL category and also to the senior citizens with monthly income not more than Rs. 15000/-.

The following aids & assisted devices are provided under the scheme:

1. Generic Items: (1) Walking sticks (2) Elbow crutches (3) Walkers/Crutches, (4) Tripods/Quadpods (5) Hearing Aids (6) Artificial Dentures, and (7) Spectacles.
2. Special Items: (1) Wheelchairs, (2) Wheel Chairs with Commode, (3) Chair/Stool with Commode, (4) Silicon Foam Cushion, (5) Knee Brace, (6) Spinal Support, (7) Cervical Collar, (8) Lumbosacral Belt (LS), (9) Walker/Roalator with Brakes, (10) Walking Stick with Seat, (11) Foot Care Kit:- (i) Flexi Gel Socks, (ii) Socks Cusion Sandal, (iii) Silicon Insole (Complete Foot/Ankle) and (iv) Insole with Pressure Point Relief.

During the current year, due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, the disbursement camps could not be held so far. Despite this, 2285 senior citizens were provided assistive devices during 2021-22, details of which are given at Annexure.

The RVY is implemented in all districts in the Country. As on 06.07.2021, 194 distribution camps have been organised.

19-Mar-2020:  ISRO to launch 36 missions including 10 earth observation satellites in 2020-21

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has planned 36 missions including satellites and launch vehicles for the fiscal year 2020-21. ISRO will send up 10 earth observation satellites during 2020-21.  Details of the missions are as follow:

• Earth observation satellite                               10
• Communication satellite                                 3
• Navigation satellite                                         2
• Space science satellite                                     3
• Technology Demonstration                             1
• PSLV                                                              10
• GSLV MK II                                                  3
• GSLV MK III                                                 1
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle                       2
• Gaganyaan ( Unmanned)                                1

During the current fiscal year of 2019-20, till date 11 out of the total targeted missions have been completed. Details of which are as follows:

• Earth observation satellite                               4
• Communication satellite                                 1
• Space science satellite                                     1
• PSLV                                                              4
• GSLV MK III                                                  1

Indian Space Programme is focused on peaceful uses of Outer Space.  Towards this, Space Technology should be used for benefit of the country and society, provide solutions for developmental activities and address problems of the society at large, Dr Singh added.

18-Mar-2020: Implementation of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a Central Sector Scheme namely “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” (RVY) on 1st April, 2017 with the objective to provide the senior citizens, living below poverty line and suffering from any of the age related disability/ infirmity, with such assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/ infirmity manifested. Devices viz. walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles are provided free of cost to senior citizens belonging to BPL category who suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities in the camp mode.

The Scheme is implemented through the ‘Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)’, (a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) as the sole implementing Agency. The Scheme of RVY is entirely funded from Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF). So far, total 138 distribution camps have been organised across the country under RVY.

5-Feb-2020: Distribution camps under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)

A total of 132 distribution camps have been organised across the country under the scheme of ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)’ since its inception.

The year-wise number of beneficiaries benefited under the Scheme since its inception are as under:-

The scheme is a demand driven scheme and funded from the Senior Citizen’ Welfare Fund. During the year 2019-20, Rs. 18.00 crore has been incurred in 36 distribution camps till date.

10-Dec-2019: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana for Disabled Persons

A Central Sector Scheme namely ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ (RVY) is being implemented by D/o Social Justice and Empowerment (M/o SJ&E) with an objective to provide to senior citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from age-related disabilities/ infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under M/o SJ&E is implementing ‘Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP)’ Scheme under which aids and assistive devices are distributed to eligible Divyangjan for their physical, social, psychological and economic empowerment. Persons with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme:

1. An Indian citizen of any age.
2. Holds a 40% Disablement Certificate.
3. Has monthly income from all sources not exceeding Rs. 20,000/- per month.
4. In case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
5. Who have not received assistance during the last 3 years for the same purpose from   any source. However, for children below 12 years of age, this limit would be one year.

5-Feb-2019: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced a scheme for providing physical aids and Assisted Living Devices for Senior Citizens belonging to BPL category named “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)” on 1st April, 2017 with the objective of providing Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, with such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions. Under the Scheme, assisted living devices such as Walking Sticks, Elbow Crutches, Walkers/ Crutches, Tripods/ Quadpods, Hearing Aids, Wheelchairs, Artificial Dentures and Spectacles are provided free of cost to the beneficiary senior citizens.

The Scheme is being implemented through the “Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)”, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of SJ&E, as the sole Implementing Agency. The devices are distributed in the camp mode. The beneficiaries are identified through Assessment Camps organised in collaboration with the respective State Government/District Administration and the devices are distributed in Distribution Camps organised in the selected districts. For the senior citizens aged 80 years or more, the devices are provided at their doorsteps.

At present, a total of 325 Districts have been selected for the implementation of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. The assessment camps to identify the beneficiaries have been completed in 135 districts of which as on 25.01.2019, 77 distribution camps have been organised benefitting 70939 senior citizens belonging to BPL Category.

27-Oct-2018: Aids & Assistive Living Devices Distributed to Divyangjans & Senior Citizens in Adip-Rvy camp

An ADIP-RVY Distribution Camp for free of cost distribution of Aids and Assistive Living Devices to Divyangjans and Senior Citizens in BPL category under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Department at Satbari, Chattarpur, New Delhi today. Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Department was the Chief Guest. The distribution camp function was presided over by Shri Ramesh Bidhuri, the Member of Parliament, South Delhi. Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a PSU working under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized it in close association with District Administration, South Delhi.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is committed to the welfare of Divyangjans and Senior Citizens. Such camps are regularly organized to benefit them. The categories of Divyangjans have been increased from 7 to 21 and the reservation quota of Divyangjans has been increased from 3% to 4%. The work of Universal ID Card for Divyangjans is in progress.

Under ADIP Scheme, 352 beneficiaries were distributed Aids & Equipment worth Rs. 50 Lakh and 54 thousands

3-Oct-2018: Assistive Aids and Appliances distributed to Senior Citizens Under 58th Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana Camp

A Distribution camp for free of cost distribution of Aids and Assistive Living devises under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), a scheme of Social Justice & Empowerment Department for Senior Citizen under BPL category, was organized at S. K Mohit Hall, Jhilmil Industrial Area in East Delhi by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a PSU working under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in close association with District Administration, East Delhi. The distribution camp function was presided over by Shri Mahesh Giri, the Member of Parliament, East Delhi.

In the camp 2598 number of daily living assisted living devices of different categories regarding age related infirmities valuing approx. Rs. 50.00 Lakhs were distributed among 910 pre identified Sr. Citizen Beneficiaries of East Delhi District.

Identified beneficiaries were registered during the assessment camp conducted by ALIMCO at various locations of East Delhi district in the month of February 2018.

58 distribution camps have been conducted so far all over country under RVY in which 60601 Number of beneficiaries have been served and 138653 Number of appliances have been distributed valuing Rs.2,935.75 Lakhs.

23-Mar-2017: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ to be launched on 1st April, 2017

“Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana”, a ‘Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category’ will be launched in District Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on 1st April, 2017.

Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens will be distributed in Camp mode and the Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency, ‘Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)’, (a PSU under M/o SJ&E), which will undertake one year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices. The devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on care givers or other members of the family. The ambitious Scheme, first of its kind in the country is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens over a period of the 3 years.

As per the Census figures of 2011, the population of senior citizens in India is 10.38 crore.  More than 70% of the population of senior citizens live in rural areas of the country. A sizeable percentage (5.2%) of the senior citizens suffers from some sort of disabilities related to old age. Projections indicate that the number of elderly population will increase to around 173 million by 2026.

The Central Government proposes to launch a new Central Sector Scheme to be put in place to provide Physical aids and Assisted Living Devices for such senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, who belong to BPL category.

The proposal for formulation of a Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-Living Devices for Senior Citizens belonging to BPL Category was announced in the Budget 2015-16. Pursuant to this, the “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” has been formulated.  The Scheme aims at providing Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Hearing impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability, with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested. The assistive devices shall be of high quality and conforming to the standards laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards, wherever applicable.

This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government. The expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from the "Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund". Under the Scheme, the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices will be provided to eligible elderly beneficiary senior citizens, depending upon their physical impairment :-

1. Walking sticks
2. Elbow crutches
3. Walkers / Crutches
4. Tripods / Quadpods
5. Hearing Aids
6. Wheelchair
7. Artificial Dentures 
8. Spectacles           

Salient features of the Scheme are as under:-

1. Free of cost distribution of the devices, commensurate with the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested among the eligible senior citizens.
2. In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment.
3. The devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on care givers or other members of the family.
4. The Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency, ‘Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)’, (a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment).
5. ALIMCO will undertake one year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices.
6. Beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations through a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector.
7. As far as possible, 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women.
8. The State Government/UT Administration/District Level Committee can also utilize the data of BPL beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UT for identification of senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
9. The devices will be distributed in Camp mode.
10. The expected financial outlay over the next three years (i.e. upto 2019-20) is Rs. 483.6 Crores.

The ambitious Scheme, first of its kind in the country is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens over a period of the 3 years.