Question : National Social Assistance Programme

(a) whether the Government proposes to implement various schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP);

(b) if so, the details thereof including physical and financial progress during the last three years, scheme-wise and State-wise;

(c) whether the Supreme Court has observed that there is a huge gap in implementation of the NSAP; and

(d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government for evaluating, monitoring and effective implementation of the said programme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a)& (b): Yes Madam. Government implements various schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for the persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. Under the above schemes the targeted beneficiaries are provided with monthly central assistance ranging between Rs.200-500 depending on age of the beneficiary and category of the pension.

Details of Physical & Financial Progress during the last three years under National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) is Annexed.

(c)& (d): In connection with Writ Petition (c )No. 193 of 2016 in its Judgment dated 13.12.2018,Hon’ble Supreme Court has not pointed out any significant gap in implementation of NSAP Programme. However, the court has noted that an evaluation study has been contemplated on all aspects of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for use of best practices and to bring about uniformity in the implementation of the scheme in all States. In this regard it is to mention that Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been setup for shortlisting the institutions/ Organizations, who have submitted their Expression of Interest (EoI) in response to the advertisement published in the news papers by Ministry of Rural Development for conducting the evaluation study. Short listing of eligible institutions/ Organizations has been completed on 28th January, 2019.


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