Honorable Prime Minister’s letter to the ELDERLY – Bharat Pensioners Samaj

Honorable Prime Minister’s letter to the ELDERLY – Bharat Pensioners Samaj

Prime Minister

My Dear Elders,

31 March 2015

Many of you belong to that privileged generation which has had the honour of contributing to both India’s independence, as well as its consequent nation building. We are what we are today because of you. And for this, we are all deeply proud and eternally indebeted to you.

Thus, it is the nation’s responsibility to look after you. This is but a mere continuation of India’s ethos of ‘respect for elders’ -our Bharatiyata. At this juncture, you have simple needs. You look forward to a peaceful and healthy life. And a life of dignity and respect, where you do not have to depend on others. My government has come up with a number of initiatives to support you in the same. Several scheme have been rolled out over the past year, while many more have been announced in this years’ budget.

I am aware of how critical financial security is to a life of comfort and dignity in old age. We have taken a number of steps to support you in this. For those of you above 60 years who have some savings, we have revived the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana. Based on an initial contribution, this will provide you a monthly pension for 15 years, where – after you are returned the original amount as well. For instance, you can enjoy a pension of Rs 5,000 per month for 15 years, from an initial contribution of Rs 6,66,665, which itself is refunded at the end. A Senior Citizen Welfare Fund is also being set up for subsidizing premiums of old age pensioners, BPL families and small and marginal farmers.

I know you continue to remain concerned about the well being of your family in case anything happens to you. We have thus structured the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana to provide you an accident insurance of Rs 2 lakhs at a mere Rs 1 per month premium.

Tax payers amongst you have been given tax benefits. The rebate in income tax towards health insurance premium has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. For very senior citizens over 80 years old who are not covered by health insurance, a deduction of Rs 30,000 towards medical treatment expenses has been allowed. Also, deduction for expenditure on specified diseases of serious nature has been raised from Rs 60,000 to Rs. 80,000.

Moreover, you will have by now gotten bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. This enables you to receive money from your children and relatives with ease and without cost. You will soon also start getting government benefits directly into them, cutting out all middle men and leakages. Furthermore, you can also use these accounts to get loans up to Rs 5,000 for your needs.

A number of other schemes have also been started, such as providing Physical Aids and Assisted Living Devices for senior citizens living below the poverty line.

All the above schemes and programs announced in the budget, will be rolled out in the near future. I urge you to take full advantage of the same. My foremost wish is to repay the debt the nation owes you. My Government is thus committed to ensuring that your golden years are spent happily, peacefully and meaningfully. I am confident that you will continue playing an important role in national development. As alway, I seek your continued blessings…

With folded hands,

Jai Hind!
Narendra Modi

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Yes, honourable Prime minister Sir ,we pensioners of today belong to the privileged generation which has had contributed to India’s independence & consequent Nation building. But then why in the matter of Healthcare & Pension parity we are being treated like 2nd class citizens.Why each one of the affected Pensioner is being pushed to Court again & again, in the matters already decided by S.C.?

Source: Bharat Pensioners Samaj