The Federation of Senior Citizens’ Associations of Tamil Nadu has urged the State government to constitute the State Commission for Senior Citizens to implement the Tamil Nadu State Seniors Policy, 2023, and enact the required legislation in the Assembly.Noting that the elderly population is projected to increase significantly in the State in the next few years, the federation wanted the State government to constitute the commission to promote the rights and welfare of the elderly population.Addressing press conference in the city on Friday, the federation’s president V. Rama Rao said financial insecurity remains the biggest challenge faced by the elderly, and sought an increase in the monthly old-age pension to ₹3,000, while expanding coverage to 75% of senior citizens under the social security pension scheme.Mr. Rao said both the pension amount and the number of beneficiaries covered under the social security pension scheme were inadequate. Only 4.51 lakh registered unorganized workers were receiving monthly pension, leaving a large section of unorganized workers outside the social security net.The Federation said the State government must allocate ₹28,080 crore for social security pensions and ₹3,120 crore for elderly healthcare, stating that the combined allocation would account for 7.8% of the total revenue expenditure.Mr. Rao also pointed out that Kerala has constituted Senior Citizen Commission for Elders and made a significant allocation for the welfare of the elderly population. The Federation also called for greater investment in elderly healthcare infrastructure, including palliative care services, medicines, old-age homes, volunteer services and clinics.The Federation also urged the Chief Minister to take up with the Union government the restoration for railway fare concessions for senior citizens. Published - July 24, 2026 07:13 pm IST