Government mulling new policy for senior citizens: Kumari Selja

NEW DELHI: Government is planning to bring in a new national policy for senior citizens and consultations with various stakeholders are on for the same, Union Minister Kumari Selja said today.

"Keeping in view changing demographics, socio-economic pattern and technological advances, government is considering a division of National Policy on Senior Citizens. The draft of new policy is being prepared and is under discussion with various stake holders to ensure widest possible consultation," Selja told a gathering here.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said this after releasing a book, 'Shiksha Mein Mulyon ke Sarokar', written by former Director of NCERT Prof J S Rajput and noted educationist Prof Rajendra Dixit.

She highlighted the need for value education to ensure that youngsters respect the elderly people.

"Considering that value system is fast declining, a book on value system would serve a noble cause. The book would help educational institutions, curriculum developers and teachers and mainstreaming the concept of value education," she said.

As per the census of 2001, the total population of senior citizens in the country was 7.7 crore.

"The population of senior citizens thus constituted 7.5 per cent of the total population in 2001. This figure is projected is projected to go up to 12.4 per cent of the total population by 2026," she said.

Selja also asked parents and teachers to ensure that basic education of children begins at their homes.

"Traditional system of education was based in families. The basic education began from there. Now families have transferred entire responsibilities on schools and teachers. Parents hardly get time in nuclear families and they have abdicated their responsibility to schools," the minister said.