Chief Minister Vyoshree Yojana to Make Life Easier for Senior Citizens

To maintain the mental and physical health of senior citizens through mental health centers, yoga therapy centers, and more, the state government has approved the implementation of the ‘Mukhyamantri Vyoshree Yojana.’ This scheme aims to address the various health issues faced by senior citizens aged 65 years and above, making their lives more comfortable.

According to the 2011 census, Maharashtra has a total population of 11.24 crore, with approximately 1.50 crore senior citizens aged 65 years and above. Many senior citizens today face various ailments. In line with a scheme launched by the Central Government, the ‘Mukhyamantri Vyoshree Yojana’ has been introduced in the state to provide aids and equipment to disabled and infirm senior citizens belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL).

Nature of the Scheme: Senior citizens will be able to purchase assistive devices such as glasses, hearing aids, tripod sticks, wheelchairs, folding walkers, commode chairs, knee braces, lumbar belts, cervical collars, etc. Yoga therapy can also be availed to maintain mental health. The state government will provide 100 percent financial assistance for this scheme, with a one-time benefit of Rs 3,000 given to eligible beneficiaries. Senior citizens can benefit from yoga therapy centers, mental health centers, manashakti centers, and training centers registered by the personnel department of both the central and state governments.

Eligibility Criteria: Citizens who have completed 65 years of age as of 31st December 2023 will be eligible for this scheme. Individuals must have an Aadhaar card or have applied for one and possess an Aadhaar registration receipt. If the beneficiary does not have an Aadhaar card, other identity documents will be accepted. The annual family income of the beneficiary must be within 2 lakh rupees, with a self-declaration required. Additionally, 30% of the total number of beneficiaries in selected districts will be women. Applicants must also submit a self-declaration stating they have not received the same device free of charge from any government source in the last 3 years. However, replacement of defective or non-functional equipment may be allowed as an exception.

Implementation: After depositing Rs.3000 in the bank account of eligible beneficiaries, the payment for the prescribed equipment and the certificate of training from the mental health center should be certified by the concerned Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare, within 30 days. This information must be uploaded within 30 days on the portal developed by the concerned central social enterprise organization.

To apply for the scheme, senior citizens aged 65 years and above must submit an application along with an Aadhaar card, voter card, nationalized bank passbook, 2 passport size photographs, a self-declaration letter, and other government-prescribed identity documents. The selection of beneficiaries, verification of necessary documents, collection of Aadhaar numbers, and bank account information will be managed by the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Pune, through the Nodal Agency, Central Social Enterprise Institute. A committee chaired by the Collector for rural areas and the Commissioner for urban areas, Municipal Corporation, has been formed for the purpose of selection, implementation, and monitoring of the scheme. Beneficiaries will be selected through health checkups of senior citizens. This scheme aims to help senior citizens lead a happy life by addressing the health problems associated with old age.

All eligible senior citizens can apply in the prescribed format to the Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare Office, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Social Justice Bhawan, Opposite Vishrantwadi Police Station, Yerwada, Pune-06 (Phone No. 020-29706611 (email-acswopune@gmail.com)) – Vishal Londhe, Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare, Pune.