<span style="color: #222222;">Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar today informed the Lok Sabha that his ministry is supporting 551 NGO-run old age homes in which 16,290 destitute elderly are provided accommodation. In a written reply to the House, Dr Kumar said all the homes which are funded by the government are mandated to admit indigent elders and run them free of cost.<br />''<br />''The minister said, no specific instance of violence in the old age homes has been brought to the notice of the government.<br />''<br />''However, for the protection of life and property of senior citizens, the Home Ministry has issued advisories to all state governments and UTs advising them to make immediate measures to ensure safety and security and for elimination of all forms of negligence, abuse and violence against old persons.</span><br />