National Social Assistance Programme

Every democratic and welfare state instituted numerous programmes to uplift and for providing financial support to the people of rural areas as well as urban areas. The National Social Assistance Programme is one of the welfare programme administered by the Government of India under Ministry of Rural Development.

What is National Social Assistance Programme?

The National Social Assistance Programme 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 Directive Principles of State Policy 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.

Aims and Goals of the National Social Assistance 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

Key Principles of the Schemes under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• Universal Coverage of eligible persons and pro-active identification
• Transparent and people friendly process for application, sanction, appeal and review
• Regular monthly disbursement of pensions & benefits preferably at the door step of the beneficiaries
• Electronic transfer
• Robust Social Audit and Annual Verification
• Key Role for Local Self Government Institutions
• IT based MIS
• Robust Grievance Redressal System
• Automatic Convergence

Comprising Schemes of the National Social Assistance Programme

Currently, the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) comprises of five schemes:

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

Eligibility Criteria: A monthly pension of Rs. 200 is provided to all persons of 60 and above years from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. For persons above the age of 80 years, the pension amount is Rs. 500. The States contribute matching amount vis-a-vis the central contribution

2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Eligibility Criteria: In this scheme, BPL widows aged 40-59 years are entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 300, which is enhanced to Rs. 500 for the widows above 80 years.

3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Eligibility Criteria: The people with severe and multiple disabilities (including dwarfs) with 80% and above disability from BPL families in the age group of 18-59 years are provided a monthly pension of Rs. 300, which is enhanced to Rs. 500 to the age group of 80 years and above.

4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

Eligibility Criteria: Bereaved households that have lost the bread-winner of the family falling in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are given one-time lump sum assistance of Rs. 20,000. Bread-winner is defined as either a male or female adult on whose income family subsistence is dependent. The family benefit is paid to the surviving member of the household of the deceased poor, who after local inquiry, is found to be the head of the household .It is conditional that the death of the bread-winner should have occurred whilst he/she is more than 18 years of age and less than 60 years of age

5. Annapurna

Eligibility Criteria: Under the scheme, 10 kg of food grains (wheat or rice) per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under IGNOAPS.

Programme Implementation Work-flow Process