Demand grows for elders budget in TN also

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

Inspired by Kerala’s 2026-27 Budget, which introduced a
separate ‘Elderly Budget’ for the first time in India, senior
citizens’ groups in Tamil Nadu have raised a similar demand.
Kerala’s move focuses on the growing elderly population and
gives special attention to healthcare, social security, and elderly
care through a dedicated budget. This initiative has been widely
appreciated as a forward-looking step by senior citizens.
Following this, the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of
Tamil Nadu (FOSCATAN) has urged the Tamil Nadu
government to introduce a separate budget, exclusively for
senior citizens.
The federation stated that Tamil Nadu also has a rapidly
increasing elderly population and needs focused planning for
healthcare, social welfare, community care and age-friendly
infrastructure, similar to Kerala’s model.
Mr. V. Rama Rao, president of FOSCATAN and a well-known
senior citizen activist from Nanganallur, strongly supported this
demand. He pointed out that Kerala has set a good example by
recognising the needs of senior citizens through a special
Budget and that Tamil Nadu should follow the same path to
ensure dignity, security and quality care for the elderly.
Senior Citizen Forum Nanganallur has welcomed the demand,
saying that a separate Elderly Budget will help address issues

such as medical support, pensions and community care in a
structured manner.
FOSCATAN hopes that the Tamil Nadu government will
consider this request seriously in the coming Budget session,
by keeping the welfare of senior citizens as a priority.