New national policy for welfare of elderly next year: Govt

A comprehensive new national policy will be unveiled next year by the government to ensure welfare of elderly people living across the country.
"There is a need to speed to the government's efforts to ensure welfare of elderly people. There will be a new policy for the senior citizen very soon," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said during a programme on senior citizens here.
He said there was a need to look after the elderly people in the society and the policy would be a step in that direction.
Later, talking to PTI, the Minister said the policy would be unveiled by next year.

"There is a need to form a new national policy keeping in mind the change in socio-economic conditions in our society. The policy will aim at providing better facility to elderly people," he said.
Gehlot, a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh, said the government has already invited suggestions from the non-government organisations (NGO) and other stake holders.

"There is a need for participation of public in forming any policy. In this policy too, we will be taking help of the people so that it benefits the maximum number of elders," he said.
The Minister said the new policy for the elderly will replace the existing one which was formed in 1999.

During the programme, President Pranab Mukherjee honoured 11 people in seven categories with the 'National Awards for Senior Citizens 2015' for their contribution in helping the elderly people.