Expressing dismay that rapid population ageing in the country has not received due attention of the government, the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has recommended putting in place a robust integrated action plan.
In its report tabled in Parliament today, the committee has said that the population of senior citizens is 7.5 per cent as per the 2001 Census.
The population is likely to increase to 12.4 per cent in 2026 as per the report of the 'Technical Group on Population Projections' constituted by National Commission on Population.
Further, as per the United Nations projections on old age population in India, the overall population in the country by the year 2050 will grow by 55 per cent but more alarmingly the population of people in their 60 years and above will increase by 326 per cent and those in the age group of 80 years by 700 per cent, which is the fastest growing group.
"The Committee is, however, dismayed to note that the issue of rapid population ageing in the country has not received due attention of the Government and the community, at large," the report said.
The Committee feels that to meet squarely the daunting task of providing adequate social security, healthcare and other welfare measures to senior citizens, there is an imperative need for integrated plan of action involving various departments and stakeholders.
"The Committee, therefore, recommend the Government to put in place a robust integrated action plan expeditiously with due consultation will all the stakeholders and elders and earnestly implement the same with a definite time frame to fulfill the nation's commitment to address the serious problems of senior citizens.
