(a) whether there is any scheme in Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to increase the BPL pension, old age pension and widow pension amount;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the time by which such scheme is likely to be formulated?
(a) whether there is any scheme in Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to increase the BPL pension, old age pension and widow pension amount;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the time by which such scheme is likely to be formulated?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) to (c): Government implements pension schemes such as 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) for persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Under the above schemes, the targeted beneficiaries are provided with monthly assistance ranging between Rs.200-500 depending on age of the beneficiary and category of the pension. Further, States/Union Territories (UTs) have been requested to contribute at least an equal amount under these schemes of NSAP. As per information obtained from the State of Madhya Pradesh and UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, an amount of Rs 200/- to Rs. 300/- per month is given as state contribution apart from the central assistance under the above pension schemes. Details are given in Annexure.
As part of reforming NSAP, Government has initiated a comprehensive third party evaluation study. The broad terms of reference of the study inter-alia include documentation of best practices and to bring about uniformity in implementation across all States/ UTs and to suggest changes in assistance as well as criteria under these schemes.
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