About National Social Assistance Program(NSAP )
- It is a social security and welfare programme to provide support to aged persons, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on death of primary bread-winner, belonging to below poverty line households
- Ministry: It is being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. This programme is being implemented in rural areas as well as urban areas.
- Launch: NSAP came into effect from 15th August, 1995
- Aim: It aims at ensuring a minimum national standard for social assistance to the poor in addition to the benefits that states are currently providing or might provide in future.
The NSAP at its inception in 1995 had three components namely
- National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS,
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and
- National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS).
The National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) was subsequently transferred on 1st April, 2001 from the Ministry of Rural development to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Current components under the NSAP
- 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) and
- Annapurna(added in 2000).
Implementation:
- The NSAP is implemented in the States/UTs in accordance with the general conditions applicable to all components of the NSAP as well as specific conditions applicable to each component.
- The NSAP Schemes are mainly implemented by the Social Welfare Departments in the States.
- But NSAP is implemented by Rural Development Department in other States
Basic eligibility criteria
For getting benefits under NSAP the applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family according to the criteria prescribed by the Govt. of India.
Selection:
The Gram Panchayat/Municipalities are expected to play an active role in the identification of the beneficiaries under the three schemes.
Funding:
Under NSAP 100 per cent Central Assistance is extended to the States/UTs to provide the benefits in accordance with the norms, guidelines and conditions laid down by the Central Government.
Scale pf assistance under the scheme
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) :
- The eligible age for IGNOAPS is 60 years. The pension is Rs.200 p.m. for persons between 60 years and 79 years.
- For persons who are 80 years and above the pension is Rs.500/ – per month.
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS):
- The eligible age is 40 years and the pension is Rs.300 per month.
- After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs.500/ – per month.
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS):
- The eligible age for the pension er is 18 years and above and the disability level has to be 80%.
- The amount is Rs.300 per month and after attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs 500/ – per month . Dwarfs will also be a n eligible category for this pension.
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS:
- Rs. 20000/ – will be given as a lump sum assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the bread – winner.
- It is clarified that any event of death (natural or otherwise) would make the family eligible for assistance.
- A woman in the family, who is a home maker, is also considered as a ‘bread – winner’ for this purpose.
- The family benefit will be paid to such surviving member of the household of the deceased poor , who after local inquiry, is found to be the head of the household.
- For the purpose of the scheme, the term “household’ would include spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters and dependent parents. In case of death of an unmarried adult, the term household would include minor brothers/ sisters and dependent parents.
- The death of such a bread – winner should have occurred whilst he/ she is more than 18 years of age and less than 60 years of age.
- The assistance would be given to every case of death of breadwinner in a family.
- Annapurna Scheme:
- 10 kgs of food grains (wheat or rice) is given per month per beneficiary.
- The scheme aims at providing food security to meet the requirements of those eligible old aged persons who have remained uncovered under the IGNOAPS
