National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 and 42 of the Constitution recognizing the concurrent responsibility of the Central and the State Governments in the matter. 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 is in accordance with these noble principles that the Government of India on 15th August 1995 included the National Social Assistance Programme in the Central Budget for 1995-96.

Objectives

It aims to provide social assistance benefits to poor households in the case of old age, death of the breadwinner and maternity. It also aims at ensuring minimum national standards, in addition to the benefits that the States are currently providing or might provide in future. It also aims at ensuring that social protection to the beneficiaries everywhere in the country is uniformly available without interruption.

Components

The NSAP at its inception in 1995 had three components namely (1) National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), (2) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and (3) 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.

On 1st April, 2000 a new Scheme known as Annapurna Scheme was launched. This scheme aimed at providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the NOAPS.

In February 2009, two new Schemes known as Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) were introduced.

Presently NSAP comprises five schemes, namely – (1) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), (2) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), (3) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), (4) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and (5) Annapurna.

Annapurna Scheme

On 1st April, 2000 a new Scheme known as Annapurna Scheme was launched. This Scheme aimed at providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the NOAPS. Under the Annapurna Scheme 10 kgs of food grains per month are provided free of cost to the beneficiary. The number of persons to be benefited from the Scheme is, in the first instance, 20 per cent of the persons eligible to receive pension under NOAPS in States/UTs

Implementation of NSAP Schemes

In 2002-03, NSAP and Annapurna were transferred from Centrally Sponsored Scheme to State Plan. The funds for NSAP and Annapurna are allocated by Planning Commission and are released as Additional Central Assistance (ACA) by the Ministry of Finance to the States and by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Union Territories in a combined manner for all the schemes under NSAP, based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Rural Development. Implementation of schemes under NSAP at ground level rests with the State Government/Union Territory Administration. States have been given flexibility in implementation of schemes under NSAP.

Identification of beneficiaries, sanction of pensions and disbursement are done by the concerned State Government. NSAP is being implemented mainly by Social Welfare Departments in the States. In some States it is being implemented by Rural Development Departments, Women and Child Development Departments, Revenue Departments as well as Department of Labour, Employment and Training.

During 2010-11, Rs 5162 crore were released to states as additional Central Assistance (ACA). During 2011-12, Rs 6658 was allocated to NSAP.

The allocation for National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been increased from Rs 8382 crore in 2012‐13 (BE) to Rs 9541 crore in 2013‐14 (BE).