Senior Citizens Guide 23-07-09.pmd - Helpage India Programme

21(viii) Provision by the Himachal Pradesh Government (District SolanPensioner’s Helpline)The Government of Himachal Pradesh has initiated a pensioner’s helpline for itssenior citizens where the details of pension are available on internet. All thepensioner’s have to do is, input their PPO Number(numeric) and the name ;themonth wise pension details (from October 2001 onwards) will be displayed.Incase of any doubt feel free to write to District Treasury Officer, Solan Pin Code-173212, Himachal Pradesh.(Source: www.himachalpradesh.nic.in)(B) TAXATION :(i) Medical• Deduction in respect of medical insurance premia (Sec. 80D):An assessee is entitled to a deduction up to Rs. 20,000 where the assessee orhis/her spouse, or dependent parents or any member of the family is a seniorcitizen (Rs. 15,000 in case of others).• Deduction in respect of medical treatment (Sec. 80DDB) :This section provides for a separate deduction to a resident assessee being anindividual or a Hindu undivided family member for expenditure incurred for medicaltreatment for the individual himself or his dependent relative in respect of diseaseor ailments which may be specified in the rules. The deduction shall be limited toRs. 40,000. However, where the expenditure incurred is in respect of the assesseeor his dependent relative or any member of a Hindu undivided family of theassessee and who is a senior citizen (65 years of age anytime during the previousyear) a fixed deduction of Rs. 60,000 will be available. Senior Citizens sufferingfrom any chronic disease need not pay tax, if their income is upto Rs. 2.15 lakhs.(Taxpayers Information Series-31; Taxation of Salaried Employees Pensionersand Senior Citizens, Directorate of Income Tax(RSp and PR) New Delhi, July2001and Courtesy: office of the Joint Secretary(Revenue) Ministry of Finance,Government of India) and www.low.incomtaxindia.gov.in)(ii) Provisions in Budget 2009-2010HealthAll BPL families to be covered under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).Allocation under RSBY increased by 40 per cent over previous allocation to Rs.350crore in B.E. 2009-10.One Rank One Pension for Ex-servicemen (OROP)Based on the recommendation of the Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretaryon OROP, government has decided to substantially improve the pension of pre01.01.2006 defence pensioners below officer rank and bring pre 10.10.1997pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 pensioners. The decisions to beimplemented from 01st July, 2009 and will cost more than Rs.2,100 crore annually.