Kerala Budget Focuses on Social Justice, Elderly and Disability Empowerment: Dr. Bindu

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s senior citizens’ budget, the first of its kind in India, demonstrates that the government stands with the elderly, Higher Education and Social Justice Minister Dr. R Bindu said.

She said the newly launched ‘Anp Veedu’ care home scheme, providing block-level support for people with intellectual challenges through day care and short-term stay facilities, has been allocated three crore rupees for initial operations.

Dr. Bindu added that respite care assistance for persons with disabilities has been increased from 600 to 1,000 rupees, with the total budget for the scheme doubled from 50 crore to 100 crore rupees. She said rehabilitation institutions NIPMER and NISH have been allocated 22.50 crore and 27.50 crore rupees respectively, while five early intervention centres will receive 64 crore rupees.

The minister said the budget also encourages senior citizens’ participation in society through the ‘New Innings’ programme, promoting entrepreneurship, and supports retirement homes offering healthcare and recreational facilities. She noted that the senior citizens’ commission, aimed at converting senior resources into societal assets, has been allocated 50 lakh rupees.

Dr. Bindu said the ‘Vayomithram’ programme, providing mobile clinics, palliative care, ambulance services, and counselling for the elderly, will receive 27.50 crore rupees. She added that six crore rupees have been set aside for the transgender community under the ‘Mazhaavil’ empowerment programme, while 14 crore rupees will support day care centres for senior citizens, converting them into Sāyamprabha homes. She also highlighted a new volunteer mobilisation initiative to assist elderly people living alone.