MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) & (b) The Government reviews the implementation of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme on 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, 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
(c)& (d) The number of beneficiaries under the schemes of NSAP are worked out on the basis of the figures of Census 2001 and the poverty ratio estimates 2005-06 of the then Planning Commission. The States/UT’s have been requested to identify the eligible beneficiaries on the basis of above criteria and as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P No.196/2001, the deserving persons eligibility should be established and included in the select list.States/UTshave also been requested to supplement the assistance under NSAP from their own resources. Moreover the assistance provided under NSAP to the State/UT’s depends on the availability of funds at the disposal of the Ministry.
(e) The Government is already providing assistance under NSAP to the persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The details of assistance provided and eligibility criteria under the pension schemes of NSAP is at Annexure.
Annexure
Existing eligibility criteria of the Schemes under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for the unstarred parliament question no.3810 to be answered on 19.03.2015
I. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under the scheme, assistance is provided to person 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 beneficiary would be shifted to IGNOAPS for getting 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 beneficiary would be shifted to IGNOAPS for getting pension of Rs. 500/- per month.
