Kerala government has launched an innovative programme for the benefit of senior citizens living in old age homes of the state. Titled Sallapam the programme focuses on taking out the inmates from the confinement of the four walls of old age homes to tourist destinations and cultural centres for their happiness.Inaugurating the programme at the picturesque museum compound in Thiruvanathapuram on Wednesday, Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer said that Kerala has the highest number of elderly people in the country. As per the latest figures their number comes to 40 lakh which is 11 per cent of the total population of the state. The new programme is implemented by the Social Security Mission of Kerala. The latest state budget has allocated 26 crore rupees for social security and from this an amount of four crore has been ear -marked for welfare of elderly people.