PUNE: The All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation has expressed discontent with the union budget 2010-11, as most of its demands including 'Tax free 12 per cent senior citizens scheme' and redefining the definition of senior citizens were not accepted. The confederation states that the budget is not senior citizens friendly.

In a press release, confederation president  Ramanbhai Shah has stated that the senior citizens were expecting much more from the budget, which was not reflected in the same. Out of 10 crore senior citizens in the country, 1/3 are living below poverty line. Currently they are getting  Rs 400 per month as pension , which is not adequate and must be hiked  to at least Rs 600.

He  also mentioned that as per the 'National Policy on Older Persons- 1999', a person of  60 plus age will be called a senior citizen, but the Ministry of Finance does not accepted the definition. Hence, senior citizens aged 60 plus have to wait to get concessions till age 65. The other demands, which were not accepted, include a higher rate of interest on postal saving schemes for senior citizens and the post insurance and credit guarantee corporation should increase cover limit from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakhs. 

The confederation felt that the budget gave some relief by readjusting slabs of Income Tax, but rise in rates of petrol and diesel will negate the available benefit also.

BIG LETDOWN

Ramanbhai Shah has stated that the senior citizens were expecting much more from the budget, which was not reflected in the same