What Delhi polls hold for sixty-plus: Senior citizens express growing concerns

NEW DELHI: In east Delhi's unauthorised Sundar Nagri colony, Drupti struggles to sustain herself. She has four married sons but relies completely on Delhi govt's old age financial assistance.

"I last received the pension of Rs 2,000 in Nov 2024. Since then, there has been no payout. It was a great help to me," said the 64-year-old, who supplements her income by selling dhaniya-mirchi (coriander and chillies).

She nervously added, "I heard there is some problem with the scheme. Will it continue?"

Devi, who lives with relatives now having earlier worked in a cloth bag knitting workshop, is also waiting for the release of her old age pension. "People are anxious about the uncertainty about the scheme continuing," she said. "I used to get Rs 2,500 per month till last year, but payments have stopped."

Asked about this, AAP said that pensions had been delayed due to officials being deployed for election duty. "The pensions of one lakh elderly residents are jointly funded by Delhi govt and the central govt. The latter stopped giving its share of the pension because of which payment was halted."

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, however, claimed, "The senior citizens' pension has been stuck for months over the last 10 years but neither the AAP govt nor the party ever claimed it was because the central govt wasn't paying its share. But with assembly polls barely a fortnight and senior citizens asking questions about the delay in pension disbursal, AAP leaders are trying to mislead the beneficiaries by blaming the central govt."

In Nov 2024, AAP national convener and former CM Arvind Kejriwal announced the expansion of the pension scheme by adding 80,000 more beneficiaries. Around four lakh individuals have been drawing the old age pension in the past few years. Unofficial estimates put the number of senior citizens in the capital at around five lakh.

"With the growing elderly population, longer life expectancy, popularity of nuclear families and widening intergenerational gaps, older people face loneliness, isolation, financial insecurity and declining health," said Himanshu Rath, founder chairman, Agewell Foundation. "There is an urgent need to be more attuned to the changing needs of older individuals and address their diverse requirements in later years. Many seniors seek meaningful engagement opportunities post-retirement, allowing them to stay active and involved."

The other scheme for seniors in the city, the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana , started by Delhi govt in 2018, has been more efficiently implemented. Under the scheme, the cost of food, lodging and travel to places of pilgrimages is borne by the state govt. "One of my friends went on the pilgrimage and informed me he had a good experience," said Shanti, 70, a pensioner who hasn't received her money this year. "I also applied for it in summer last year but have not gotten a response. I would like to avail this benefit." Govt sources said that after the implementation of the model code of conduct during the general election in May last year, the scheme was put on hold. There is a waiting list of around one lakh senior citizens who have applied to go on a tirth yatra.

"Under the pilgrimage scheme, 1,100 residents per assembly constituency can avail of the free travel annually, capped at 77,000 across Delhi. To date, one lakh senior citizens have completed their spiritual journeys," AAP told TOI.

In Dec last year, AAP launched a new healthcare scheme, the Sanjeevani Yojana , for the silver generation. Under this scheme, everyone over the age of 60 years, irrespective of financial status, will receive free medical treatment, either in a private or govt hospital, with the state bearing all the expenses.

At the scheme's launch, Kejriwal said, "The biggest worry in old age is, 'What will happen to me if I fall ill?' To all such people, I want to say, 'You don't need to worry any longer. AAP govt will take care of your treatment'."

Seniors have expressed other concerns too. Pushpa Rohila, 75, of South Extension II said, "As a senior citizen, dedicated pedestrian paths and well-maintained parks for relaxation are important for me. Currently, I find no relaxation in parks because of sports activities going on. I also want govt to focus on issues like adequate drinking water."

The economically better off societies have other complaints. Sanjay Gupta, 60, member of the Model Town RWA, said, "Footpaths are all occupied by illegal hawkers, leaving little space for older people to walk in ease. The govt hospitals are also so crowded and mismanaged that a senior citizen cannot avail of medical services there. The separate counters for senior citizens exist only on paper."

While AAP, in its statement, claimed that Delhi's fifth old age home was now complete in Paschim Vihar and featuring modern amenities, the foundation stone of another similar facility has been laid in Chhatarpur and plans for a third at Kanti Nagar is in the offing."

On its part, BJP proposes to increase the financial assistance given to seniors if voted to power. For individuals aged 60-70 years, BJP proposes an increase from the current pension of Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, while the pension for those above 70 years would increase from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000.

Congress is yet to make any promises specific to senior citizens.

While the Election Commission has announced several facilities for senior voters, some have a few suggestions. One of them said, "The age limit for availing postal balloting for senior citizens is 85 years. Individuals below this age who may have physical limitations such as post-surgery mobility restrictions are unable to reach the polling stations. They also do not possess a PwD certificate, which precludes them from availing postal ballot facilities."