As campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections heats up, the Senior Citizens’ Friends Welfare Association has demanded that parties recognise the needs and challenges of an increasingly ageing population in the State.
With the percentage of senior citizens projected to rise from the current 18.7% to 22.8% of the State’s population by 2036, the senior citizens’ council wants this demographic shift and its impact to be reflected in the manifestos of political parties as they try to woo those above the age of 60.
Underscoring the need to prepare for an ageing population, the council has come out with a 10-point agenda for inclusion in the manifestos of the political fronts contesting the elections. The agenda covers everything from pension and insurance to health, employment, and elderly studies.
One of the main demands of the council is the hike in social security pension to a minimum of ₹3,500.
It wants implementation of a free health insurance scheme for the elderly and expansion of the Kerala Social Security Mission’s Vayomithram scheme, which provides health care and other support to the elderly, to all panchayats.
Another demand is a 50% concesssion for the elderly for those above the age of 60 on public transport.
The council has also sought a separate government department for the elderly and a university to carry out ageing studies.
It wants the government to intervene to ensure that banks do not deny loans to the elderly citing their age. Steps should be taken to implement the reverse mortgage scheme through Kerala Bank, the council manifesto said.
The council has also put forward suggestions that underline the importance of the elderly as a resource rather than a burden to society. It has sought setting up of skill banks at the local level so that the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the elderly can be utilised for the good of society.
Another is the formation of a finance corporation that can provide them with the necessary support to start commercial ventures.
The council says there are concerns that not all fronts recognise or even care about the needs of the elderly and that they are focussed on the short term rather than any real engagement with the elderly.
As per the Election Commission of India, there are 63,47,358 voters in the 60-119 age group in the State. Of them, 29,61,402 are male voters and 33,85,943 female voters.
Published – March 28, 2026 07:51 pm IST
