News: The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme that extends financial support to individuals living below poverty line (BPL).
About National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
- Nature of Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Coverage: Applicable to both rural and urban areas
- Objectives
- To ensure a minimum level of social security to vulnerable sections of society, elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).
- To provide financial and food assistance to families living below the poverty line.
- It is an effort to realize the objectives laid out under Article 41 of the Indian Constitution.
- Beneficiary Reach: Around 3.09 crore individuals across India
- Key Features:
- Selection of Beneficiaries: Gram Panchayats and Municipalities identify eligible individuals under various NSAP schemes.
- Disbursement of Assistance: Predominantly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), about 94% of payments are made directly to bank or post office accounts. Postal money orders or cash disbursement at doorstep are permitted in exceptional cases
- Monitoring and Reporting: Each State/UT appoints a Nodal Secretary to oversee implementation and coordination. States must submit quarterly progress reports by the 15th of the month following each quarter.
- Components of NSAP
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Provides monthly pension to elderly individuals aged 60 years and above living below the poverty line.
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Offers monthly pension to widows aged 40–59 years from BPL households.
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Extends pension support to persons with severe or multiple disabilities (80% or more) from BPL families, aged 18–79 years.
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Grants a one-time lump sum to BPL families on the death of the primary breadwinner aged 18–59 years.
- Annapurna Scheme: Provides 10 kg of food grains (free of cost) every month to eligible senior citizens who qualify for old-age pension but do not receive monetary benefits under IGNOAPS.
