Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category. This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government. The expenditure for implementation of the scheme is being met from the "Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund". The Scheme is being implemented by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Importance of the scheme As per the Census figures of 2011, the population of senior citizens in India is 10.38 crore. More than 70% of the population of senior citizens live in rural areas of the country. A sizeable percentage (5.2%) of the senior citizens suffers from some sort of disabilities related to old age. Projections indicate that the number of elderly population will increase to around 173 million by 2026. The Government has hence devised the Central Sector Scheme to provide Physical aids and Assisted Living Devices for such senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, who belong to BPL category. Duration The Scheme duration was initially for a period of 3 years ie. upto 2019-20. The scheme was made part of Centrally Sponsored Scheme - Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana for the duration upto 2025-26. Eligibility Senior Citizen of India (aged 60 years and above) and possessing an Aadhaar card, suffering from any of the age-related disability/infirmity, belonging to BPL category or the Senior Citizens with the monthly income not more than Rs. 15000/-. Documents required Aadhaar /Proof of identity - Passport, Voter ID, Driving license Proof of BPL status - certificate from the District Authority for eligibility / BPL ration card / proof of receiving Old Age Pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) / Any other Pension Scheme of the State/UT Government for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category Certificate from the Medical Officer required for loss of vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disability requiring use of wheelchair. Devices supported Under the Scheme, the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices will be provided to eligible elderly beneficiary senior citizens, depending upon their physical impairment. Walking sticks Elbow crutches Walkers / Crutches Tripods / Quadpods Hearing Aids Wheelchair Artificial Dentures Spectacles Salient features of the scheme Free of cost distribution of the devices, commensurate with the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested among the eligible senior citizens. In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment. ALIMCO will undertake one year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices. Beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations through a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector. As far as possible, 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women. The State Government/UT Administration/District Level Committee can also utilize the data of BPL beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UT for identification of senior citizens belonging to BPL category. The devices will be distributed in Camp mode. To view the scheme guidelines, click here To view the district level implementation status, click here Source : Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment