Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana launched in Maharashtra

Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot today launched the 'Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana', a welfare scheme for the empowerment of senior citizens.
Under the yojna, which has been already launched in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh recently, senior citizens belonging to BPL category will be provided with physical aids and assisted-living devices for health-related ailments.
Gehlot said a budget of Rs 483 crore has been earmarked for the scheme for this year.
"Our ministry is committed towards welfare of all in the society. A provision of Rs 483 crore is earmarked in this year's budget for the scheme and we aim to cover 260 districts in the country by next year," he said.

As many as 1,500 beneficiaries from Nagpur district have already been covered under the scheme.
On the occasion, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attacked the previous UPA-led government for working "for the welfare of its ministers and not the people."

"Our democracy is a democracy of welfare state. But the previous government for many years thought that this welfare state is for the welfare of its ministers, MPs and MLAs. But, our government is working for the welfare of the people," he said.
Meanwhile, Gehlot this morning performed groundbreaking ceremony (bhoomi pujan) of a Composite Regional Centre (CTC) at the Government Medical College and Hospital here, which will work for persons with disabilities.

At the function, Gehlot said a artificial limbs manufacturing unit and a hostel for students belonging to OBC category would be set up in the city.
Land for these two projects will be alloted by the state government, the minister said.
He also apprised that his ministry was providing financial assistance of up to Rs 4 lakh to the needy patients for ailments such as cancer, cochlear implant among others.