Government of India has earmarked special benefits and
concessions for Senior Citizens of India. Here is a brief
compilation of same for your ready reference :
(1) Law (Legislations) Claim your Rights Now, Need
support? We are just a call away.
Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens
Act 2007
Indian Government has recently enacted a law for welfare
of elderlies (senior citizens and parents). This law creates
provisions for maintenance, protection and security of
elders.
Download a copy of
the Act
Hindi Version
(2) RTI Act (Right to Information Act)
Tell them you know
Second appeals filed by senior citizens and differently
abled persons under the Right
to Information Act (RTI)
are taken on a high priority basis, according
to a
directive of the Central Information Commission (CIC).
For, senior citizens and physically challenged if appeals
are already pending with the CIC/SCIC, they should write
to the CIC/SCIC about their status.
(3) Health Care
(a) There is provision for separate queues for senior
citizens at hospitals and health care centres when they
visit for any health related concerns or clinical
examinations.
(b) The Delhi Government runs special
clinics for Senior Citizens in
most of its hospitals in Delhi.
(4) Finance & Taxation
(a) You are advised to refer to the Indian
Income Tax Department for
the current slabs of Income Tax including rebate admissible
to senior citizens. As per recent finance budget 2008-09
(presented on 29th February, 2008) the threshold income when
you start paying tax stands at Rs. 2.25 lakh per annum for
senior citizens. In this case the qualifying age as
specified by Income Tax Department is 65 years.
(b) The benefit of Section
80C of
the Income
Tax Act, 1961 has
been extended to the investments made under 5-Year Post
Office Time Deposits Account and Senior Citizens Savings
Scheme, with effect from 01.04.2007.
(5) Banking
(a) Government also gives a higher
rate of interest to
senior citizens on certain Savings schemes which it runs
through its large network of Post Offices (Senior
Citizens Savings Scheme) and Public sector Banks. For
further details you are advised to contact your nearest Bank
or local Post
Office.
(b) Some banks like State
Bank of India charge
only 50% of the applicable prescribed charges in respect of
following services:
i) Issue of duplicate passbook/statement of account
ii) Issue of cheque books,
iii) Noting of standing instructions,
iv) Stop payment instructions,
v) Charges of non maintenance of minimum balance,
vi) Issue of balance certificate,
vii) Signature verification,
viii) Ledger folio charges
ix) Minimum balance requirement is also 50% for these class
of customers.
Please check with your nearest Bank on what special
facilities exist for Senior Citizens and Pensioners.
(6) Telecommunications
(a) Department
of Telecommunications has
made special provisions for senior citizens who apply for a
new telephone connection. The department has earmarked
separate priority category for senior citizens wherein they
can apply for registration.
(b) In case of any complaint or fault with
the telephone a senior citizen’s complaint is redressed on a
priority basis.
(c) MTNL
(Delhi) gives 25%
discount in
rentals (Tariff Plan-250 only) and installation to Senior
Citizens who are 65 years or above in age. Please submit
proof of age when applying to MTNL for availing this
concession. Application form for a new connection (MTNL
Delhi) in senior citizen category is available
here.
(d) MTNL
(Mumbai) has
a Non-OYT-Special category
for Senior Citizens aged 65 years or above. To apply for a
new connection in Mumbai, senior citizens can fillthis
application form. Whereas to avail senior citizen
concession on an already existing telephone connection (MTNL
Mumbai) this
application form needs
to be filled in.
Kindly note that these filled in forms are to be submitted
to the MTNL offices in your city or sanchar haat. In case of
any specific query you may also call toll
freeMTNL Help
line 1500 from
any MTNL number.
(e) BSNL:
I did not find any
scheme with BSNL where
concessions were admissible to senior citizens. I hope BSNL
would consider such rebates soon.
(7) Travel by Indian Railways
(a) Travel by Indian
Railways is 30% cheaper
for all Senior Citizens who are 60 years in age or above,
while women aged 60 years or above are entitled to 50%concession
in fare. Indian Railways provides this fare concession to
elderlies in all its trains including Shatabdi, Rajdhani and
Jan Shatabdi trains. Kindly note that while travelling all
Senior Citizens need to carry proof of their Date of Birth /
Age with a Photo ID Card.
(b) There are separate Counters / Queues for Senior Citizens
at all Railway Stations for purchase, booking or
cancellation of tickets.
(c) Special arrangements are available for those who find it
difficult to walk or move on their own. Wheel Chairs are
available at all major junctions, District Headquarters and
other important Railway stations for the convenience of
Senior citizens and also for those who are in need.
(d) Indian Railways have recently introduced specially
designed coaches which have provisions for hand rails and
specially designed toilets for handicapped persons. These
coaches also have space for wheel chairs.
(8) Travel by Airlines
(a) Senior Citizens are entitled to 50%
discount on
Economy Class fares on all flights of Indian
Airlines subject
to certain conditions.
(b) Air
India gives 45%
discount in
economy class on domestic sectors to senior citizens (women
aged 63+ and men aged 65+).
(c) Other Airlines operating in India also offer discounts
to senior citizens. It is advisable to check with them
before you plan your travel.
(9) Travel by Roadways (state transport)
(a) State
Road Transport Undertakings have
made provision for senior citizens for reservation of 2
seats in the front row of all buses.
(b) Some state governments also give concessions (in fare)
to senior citizens, while some also have specially modelled
buses for the elderlies.
(10) Court cases involving senior citizens
The Chief Justice of India has advised Chief Justices of all
High Courts to accord priority to cases involving older
persons and ensure their expeditious disposal. [vide letter
of Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment (SD Section), New Delhi, F. No. 20-76/99-SD
dated 03.11.1999]
