Question : CENTRAL ASSISTANCE FOR PAYMENT OF DESTITUTE PENSION

(a)Whether the Union Government provides the entire amount as additional central assistance for payment of destitute pension being paid to the beneficiaries above the age of 65 years;

(b) If not the reasons therefor;

(c) Whether the Union Government provides additional central assistance for all the beneficiaries of `Rashtriya Pariwar Sahayata Yojana;

(d) If not, the reasons therefor;

(e) Whether appropriate additional central assistance will be provided to Madhya Pradesh Keeping in view the number of the eligible beneficiaries; and

(f) If so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)

(a)to (d) The Ministry of Rural Development had been administering the Centrally Sponsored National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)consisting of National Old Age Pension Scheme and the National Family Benefit Scheme until the Programme was transferred to the State Plan with effect from the financial year 2002-03. After the transfer of the schemes to the States/Union Territories. the Central Government is only providing Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for these schemes. The States/UTs have requisite flexibility in the choice and implementation of the Schemes.

(e) & (f) During the year 2004-05, the Ministry of Finance had released Rs. 7644.82 lakh to the State of Madhya Pradesh as Additional Central Assistance (ACA)under the National Social Assistance Programme and Annapurna Scheme.