Poor elderly were once building blocks of the society. We need to take care of them the way they took care of us - as farmers, as teachers and beyond. Adequate pension is a necessity for a dignified life after 60. HelpAge India urges the government to establish a Universal and Non Contributory Old Age Pension System with a minimum dignified amount of monthly pension not less than 50% of minimum wage or Rs 2000/- per month, whichever is higher. We urge the government to also take note of the following:

1. The monthly pension amount be revised every two to three years and changed every six month based on inflation – in the same manner as is done for salaries of government servants.

2. NSAP guidelines states that there should be proactive identification of beneficiaries in each state.

3. Several states for e.g. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha showed that they care about their elderly by increasing the pension amount and Bihar & Assam increased the coverage of number of pension beneficiaries by making it universal coverage to all BPL elderly in each state but in most states the pension amount is still as meagre as ₹ 200 or ₹ 400 for a month! In most other states, if the amount is fair then the coverage across the state is not. Is this justified at all for seniors who are in their twilight years? Do you think ₹ 200 or ₹ 400 for a month is good enough to survive for an elder?

Sign our petition to help the elder voices reach the government for their simple demand of atleast ₹ 2000/month pension in old age. Join HelpAge India in asking for a change for the disadvantaged elders now.

Please sign this petition and share across your social media platforms with hashtag #SabkoPension. Join the fight for India's forgotten elders!