New Delhi, July 3: The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has released Rs 24.06 crore as grant-in-aid for 202 projects under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), while expanding the scheme to 30 additional gap districts to strengthen welfare services for senior citizens.
The announcement was made by Social Justice Ministry Secretary Sudhansh Pant during a review of initiatives under the government’s flagship programme for elderly welfare.
Pant said the funds have been released under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens for the quarter ending June 30 in the 2026-27 financial year.
He said 53,776 senior citizens have received 2,69,747 assistive living devices under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana through camps and walk-in centres operated by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) at Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Vayoshri Kendras.
The ministry also announced that AVYAY now covers senior citizen homes in 435 districts after the inclusion of 30 additional gap districts.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the ‘JEEVAN’ mobile application and the ‘SHATAYU’ dashboard to improve access to welfare services and strengthen the caregiving ecosystem for senior citizens.
The ministry also organised a national workshop on developing a robust care economy and highlighted nationwide participation in International Day of Yoga events focused on healthy ageing. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with All World Gayatri Pariwar to promote wellness, awareness and inter-generational engagement among senior citizens.
