Senior citizens federation seeks formation of a commission

The Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Tamil Nadu has urged the formation of a commission for senior citizens and appealed to political parties to include the demand in their election agenda.

Members of the Federation recently submitted a representation to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s election manifesto committee. Citing the recent formation of the Kerala State Elderly Commission Act 2025, the Federation has urged a similar commission must be formed in Tamil Nadu.

Its president V. Ramarao said the State government has already announced Tamil Nadu State Policy on Senior Citizens, 2023.

A stakeholders’ meeting was held in April 2025 to prepare a draft framework for the proposed commission. The Federation has appealed to the manifesto committee to incorporate Federation’s various demands.

Some of the demands include an increase of old age pension from existing ₹1,200 to ₹5,000, an old age home in every district, self-help groups for elderly persons, and establishing geriatric wards in all government hospitals apart from dementia clinics.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Elders Welfare Association has made an appeal that postal ballots must be provided to those aged above 80 years without requiring a prior request. In a representation to the Election Commission of India, the association’s president K.S. Subramanian, said this would enable senior citizens to exercise their franchise.