NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Subject : Government Schemes

Context: The Centre must increase the “meagre” pensions provided for poor senior citizens, widows and disabled people, said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development.

Concept :

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):

• The NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development. It came into effect from 15th August,1995.
• It represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the DPSP in Article 41 of the Constitution.
• In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development.
• It aims to provide financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions.
• Coverage: It currently covers more than three crore people who are below the poverty line (BPL), including about 80 lakh widows, 10 lakh disabled and 2.2 crore elderly.

Presently NSAP comprises of five 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).
• Annapurna