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Dedicated Ministry for Senior Citizens
Context:
The Supreme Court of India recently allowed a petitioner to make a representation to the central government seeking the creation of a dedicated Ministry for senior citizens.
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- The Bench, led by Justice P.S. Narasimha, humorously remarked that even judges were part of the senior citizen demographic.
- However, it clarified that the court could not intervene or direct the government to create such a Ministry.
- Currently, matters concerning senior citizens fall under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; however, they are often grouped with other marginalised communities such as drug addicts and beggars.
Petition’s Case for a Senior Citizens’ Ministry
- Focused Policies: India is witnessing a rapid increase in its elderly population, which requires focused attention to their welfare, policies, and services.
- Without a dedicated Ministry, critical aspects such as healthcare, financial assistance, pensions, and social support may remain inadequately addressed, potentially leading to detrimental impacts on the societal and economic structure.
- Growing Ageing Population: The petition cited the India Ageing Report 2023 – Caring for Our Elders: Institutional Responses, which noted that in 2022, India had 149 million people aged 60 and above, comprising 10.5% of the population.
- Article 21: The petitioner emphasised that senior citizens, as a vulnerable class, fall under the ambit of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a dignified life.
How Are Ministries Created in India?
- The creation of a Ministry in India involves the executive powers of the President, exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet, under Article 77 of the Constitution of India.
- Article 77 states that all executive actions of the Government of India shall be taken in the name of the President.
- It also enables the President to make rules for the more convenient transaction of government business and for its allocation among Ministers.
- The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 further outlines the distribution of subjects among various Ministries and Departments.
- A new Ministry can be created when the government determines that a specific area of governance requires exclusive focus and coordination.
- This decision is generally driven by socio-economic demands, legislative needs, or emerging priorities.
- Examples of such creations include the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (2016) and the Ministry of Cooperation (2021), established to address evolving governance challenges in their respective fields.
Need for a Separate Ministry
- Rapidly Ageing Population: India is projected to have one of the largest ageing populations in the world.
- By 2050, senior citizens are expected to constitute 19.5% of the total population.
- Focused Policy Implementation: An exclusive Ministry can streamline the formulation and execution of policies related to health care, pensions, social security, housing, and digital literacy for the elderly.
- Holistic Approach to Elderly Care: A dedicated Ministry would centralise and integrate these efforts for better efficiency and accountability.
- International Best Practices: Countries like Japan and Sweden, which also face ageing populations, have dedicated bodies for senior citizens, enabling them to effectively address the challenges and opportunities of an ageing society.
- Constitutional and Ethical Obligation: Under Article 21, senior citizens have the right to live with dignity.
- Economic Implications: The elderly contribute significantly to the economy through savings, consumption, and informal caregiving roles.
While the Supreme Court refrained from directing the creation of a Senior Citizens’ Ministry, the petitioner’s plea underscores the pressing need for a dedicated government body to address the challenges of India’s ageing population.
