MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a): The objective and salient features of National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) is at Annexure-I.
(b): Yes, the beneficiaries of the said programmes are selected from BPL families. State/UT- wise number of beneficiaries covered during 2014-15 and 2015-16 is at Annexure-II.
(c) & (d): The Government reviews the implementation of the schemes under National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) on a regular basis by means of Performance Review Committee Meetings(PRC), Area Officer visits, Nodal Officer meetings etc. Moreover, to increase the transparency and accountability in the implementation, a Software namely NSAP-MIS has been developed by NIC. The software captures all the essential processes and includes modules on identification, disbursement of pension, release of funds, verification, sanction of pension, ground for refusal etc. The issues raised in the meetings and highlighted in the reports of the Area Officers are sent to the State/UT Governments for taking appropriate actions and all possible efforts are taken to address the removal of shortcomings, if any, in the implementation of the Programme.
(e): The benefit under the schemes of NSAP is restricted only to the persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. At present there is no proposal to extend the benefit of NSAP to any other category of people.
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Annexure-I
Salient Features of - National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP)
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Rural Development. NSAP is a social security/social welfare programme applicable to old aged, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on death of primary bread winner, belonging to below poverty line household. NSAP at present comprises of five sub-schemes namely Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS). Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and Annapurna Scheme. The schemes of NSAP are implemented both in urban and rural areas.
The eligibility criteria, details of assistance provided under each of these schemes is as follows :
I. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under the scheme, assistance is provided to persons of 60 years and above and belonging to family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of India. Central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to person in the age group of 60-79 years and Rs. 500/- per month to persons of 80 years and above.
II. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under the scheme Central assistance @ Rs.300/- per month is provided to widows in the age-group of 40-79 years and belonging to family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of India. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiaries are shifted to IGNOAPS to get enhanced pension of Rs. 500/- per month.
III. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Under the scheme Central assistance @ Rs.300/- per month is provided to persons aged 18-79 years with severe or multiple disabilities and belonging to family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of India. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiaries are shifted to IGNOAPS to get enhanced pension of Rs. 500/- per month.
IV. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Under this scheme a BPL household is entitled to a one time lump sum amount of money on the death of primary breadwinner aged between 18 and 59 years. The amount of assistance is Rs. 20,000/-.
V. Annapurna Scheme: Under the scheme, 10 kg of food grains per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible, are not receiving old age pension.
States/UTs have been requested to make at least an equal assistance from their own resources under all three pension schemes.
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