Question : National Social Assistance Programme

(a) whether a large number of old-age pensions, widow pensions and disability pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) have been discontinued during the last few years because the beneficiaries had difficulties in linking their bank account with Aadhaar or meeting e-KYC norms;

(b) if so, the details of number of beneficiaries for different pension schemes under NSAP for whom pension has been discontinued due to the said ground or for not meeting other e-KYC norms, State/ Year-wise;

(c) the measures taken/being taken to avoid the problem and to re-initiate the pension and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether any provision has been made to ensure that, in the event where a pension is temporarily discontinued, the monthly installments corresponding to the discontinuation period are eventually paid to the pensioner; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister

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

(a) to (e): No instructions have been issued by Ministry of Rural Development for discontinuation of pension entitlements under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in want of e-KYC norms including Aadhaar seeding of the Bank accounts.

Further, no grievances complaining the discontinuation of pension in want of e-KYC have been received in Ministry of Rural Development. However, in implementation of directions of the Apex Court, recently States have been requested to expedite the Aadhaar based validation of the beneficiaries after obtaining the due consent.

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