A person who has completed 65 years of age is considered as a Senior Citizen by the Governments.

Financial

1. A rebate of 100% in Income tax, subject to maximum of Rs.20,000/- is allowed, irrespective of their income. Senior Citizens not engaged in any business or profession will not be required to file the return on the basis of ownership of a house or subscription of a telephone.>

2. The Central Govt. has decided to grant a small monthly pension to old persons in low-income group. Pensions of similar nature are presently paid by some State Govt.

3. Retired employees of Central and State Govts. and in certain cases, their surviving spouses receive pensions and retirement benefits. Some corporations and companies also operate Superannuation Schemes to enables their retirees to receive monthly pension.

4. Unit Trust of India has devised a scheme to cover medical facilities and payment of annuities, while Life Insurance Corporation of India has introduced Jeevan Suraksha Yojana.

5. Moderate financial assistance is granted by some Senior Citizens Associations to elders having no source of income.

6. Maharashtra Govt. has exempted Senior Citizens from payment of Profession Tax.

Medical

1. Central and State Govt. and also some Corporations continue granting medical facilities to their retirees.

2. Senior Citizens upto the age of 70 years can obtain medical Insurance cover from General Insurance Corporation.

3. Some public hospitals provide health check-up and treatment on free or concessional basis.

4. Some Senior Citizens Associations partially reimburse medical expenses incurred by old persons. Some Associations also have arrangements with Medicos in their localities to offer consultation for certain ailments on free or concessional basis.

5. Alternative medical treatment such as acupressure, Yoga practices, Reversal of heart diseases are undertaken by some associations.

6. Elders can avail of the medical camps arranged periodically by various social organisations. These camps provide for medical examinations, advice, treatment and also aids such as Spectacles, hearing aids, Jaipur feet etc. on free or concessional basis.

7. Various social organisations arrange workshops where dissemination of information useful for elders on nutrition, preventive measures etc. is circulated.

Accommodation

1. Many Charitable Institutions have established homes for the aged all over the country. Here lonely aged persons are accommodated on either free or on affordable charges. These homes provide medicare, recreation, libraries, social and spiritual atmosphere and an opportunity to pursue hobbies, if any, such as teaching, reading, gardening etc. There are also special homes for terminally ill and other elderly patients.

2. Governments have announced substantial financial assistance to N.G.Os to establish homes especially those in the lower income group.

3. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation offers 10% discount in their Holiday Resorts, during off-season only.

4. Some hotels cater to elders by announcing package schemes for their stay during a specific period with a reasonable concession, such as Hotel Swiss Cottage, Lonawala, Contact tel. 6428762. Besides, there are hotel Resort Schemes, where concessions on stay and food are provided to a person who enrolls himself as their member, such assuman Hotels.

Some Co-operative Societies are being formed to allot to their members, accommodation at reasonable rate in Colonies of elders.

Travel

1. Indian Airlines Corporation has introduced 50% concession in basic fares. A scheme of concession is under consideration of Air India Ltd. A person has to apply in a prescribed form along with the proof of age and the IAC issues a permanent pass for travel.

2. 30% concession in fares for all classes and all trains is allowed by Indian Rlys. This concession is granted at the time of booking even without furnishing any proof of age, but it is advisable to carry the proof during the journey.

3. Senior Citizen who is a heart patient is granted 75% concession in I, II and sleeper class fares, for himself and his escort to and from the station servicing the place of residence to the station serving the hospital for heart surgery.

4. Retires from Indian Rlys. Are entitled to free and concessional travel, life long, including for their families.

5. At specific hours, certain compartments, are reserved for elders in the suburban trains, as in Western Rly. 7 seats are reserved between 12 and 3 p.m.

6. In some State Transport buses, Senior Citizens are allowed 50% concession in fares in ordinary buses only. One has to present proof of age while booking and during the journey.

7. Some seats are reserved for elders in the Public Transport buses in some cities. With a view to ease the difficulty in boarding a bus in a crowd, the B.E.S.T. permits elders to board from the front door. There is a proposal before the B.E.S.T. to allow 50% concession in fares for elders.

Social

1. All over the country, senior citizens Association have been formed with the objective of ensuring welfare of elders. To fulfill this objective, they have established day care centres, which act as a meeting places for elders. Besides, the Centres provide libraries, legal aid and investment advice, entertainment etc. The centres also arrange lectures on topics of interest to elders, excursions, sports, publication of bulletins, talent and essay competitions.

2. The Retirees of Central of State Govt. and Corporations have formed their own Associations to look after the material benefits due to their families

3. Service organisation render medical facilities and also arrange seminars, functions for elders and sponsor various welfare schemes for them

4. Some institutes have been working on research on Social, Medical and Psychological aspects of ageing.