Question : National Social Assistance Programme

(a) whether the Government is implementing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) through various schemes so that various categories in society including the differently abled are able to get social assistance and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number of differently abled persons covered under the said programme, State/UT- wise and Scheme-wise;

(c) the amount of funds disbursed thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, Year-wise and State/UT-wise;

(d) the norms for selection of differently abled persons for grant of benefits under the said programme;

(e) whether the Government proposes to lower the eligibility criteria from 80 percent disability to 10 percent disability and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the number of persons likely to be benefited thereby?

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

(a) : Under National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) following five welfare components are being administered: a) Old Age Pension, b) Widow Pension, c) Disability Pension, d) Family Benefit Scheme and e) Annapurna Scheme.
In respect of first three schemes targeted beneficiaries are provided with monthly financial assistance ranging between Rs.200-500 as the case may be. Under National Family Benefit scheme below poverty line (BPL) households are entitled to a one-time lump-sum amount of money to the tune of Rs.20,000/- on the death of primary breadwinner aged between 18 and 59 years whereas under Annapurna scheme, 10KG of food grain per month is provided free of cost to those senior citizens which are otherwise eligible but are not receiving the old age pension.

(b) & (c): State/UT-wise details of beneficiaries covered and funds released under the disability pension scheme during last three years and current year are at Annexure.

(d): Disability pension is provided to the persons belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household and suffering from multiple or severe disability ( Classified as 80% and above).The schemes under NSAP are implemented by the States/UTs. Identification of beneficiaries, sanction and disbursement of benefit under schemes of NSAP is done by the respective States/UTs.

(e) & (f): No Madam, at present there is no proposal to lower the eligibility criteria from 80 percent disability to 10 percent disability under schemes of NSAP.

*****