National Social Assistance Programme:
Recent assessment of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has found that the Centre’s fixed monthly pension support for elderly citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities has sharply declined in real value over the last decade due to inflation.
- It a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 1995.
- It extends financial support to individuals living below poverty line (BPL).
- Nodal Ministry: It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
- It is a key social welfare scheme that provides pensions to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
- Currently, NSAP covers five schemes:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under IGNOAPS, the Centre provides financial assistance of Rs 200 per month to individuals aged 60–79 years and Rs 500 per month to those aged 80 and above.
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under IGNWPS, the Centre provides Rs 300 per month to widows aged 40–79 years and Rs 500 to those 80 and above.
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Financial assistance of Rs 300 per month is provided to individuals with severe or multiple disabilities aged 18–79, and Rs 500 to those aged 80 years and above.
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Under this the amount of one-time financial assistance is fixed at Rs 20,000. This is provided to families after the death of a primary breadwinner aged 18 to 59.
- Annapurna Scheme: Under this component 10 kg of food grains per month, free of cost, are provided to those senior citizens who, though eligible, were not receiving old-age pension.
