Nagapathanam Charter:

Nagapathanam Charter:

1. A National Commission for the Aged is set up to safeguard the interests, rights and entitlements of Aged in India.
2. Older people are recognized as a specific vulnerable group under national human rights amd humanitarian law.
3. Equal access to gainful employment for Aged, able and willing to work, must be ensured. Banks should come forward with at least short term micro credit schemes for elderly, treating Elders Self Help Group on par with others Self Help Groups.
4. Health policies should incorporate provisions for financially and physically accessible health care services to meet the needs of the Aged. Health insurance schemes for the elderly, a geriatric ward and separate outpatient counters, queues and timings at hospitals must be provided for their equal access to health care.
5. Abuse, violence and crime against older persons must be recognized at all levels and responded to. Each district must have a legal counseling centre for the elderly.
6. Procedures for old age pensions approval and disbursement must be simplified with enhanced administrative efficiency and eliminate corruption.
7. Aged are recognized among the most vulnerable and directly included in rescue, relief and recovery operations in all emergency circumstances / natural disasters.
8. Any implementation of government programmes should take note of the lack of access to services / benefits faced by older people. There should be special programmes for the Aged at panchayat level.
9. Multipurpose identity cards must be provided to the elderly and concessions given to them in the state transport buses.
10. Government must commit extending ‘Right to Development’ to older people by giving specific focus to the elderly in any of the national policies and programmes designed to combat poverty.