- The Ministry of Rural Development is in charge of running the welfare programme named the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and in addition to metropolitan regions, this initiative is being applied in rural areas.
- The programme came into effect from 15th August 1995.
- The NSAP is a key step toward realizing the Directive Principles of State Policy entrenched in the Indian Constitution, which calls for the State to implement a variety of welfare measures within its resources.
- These aim to provide residents with enough means of subsistence, elevate living standards, enhance public health, offer children free and obligatory education, etc.
- In particular, Article 41 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State, to the extent of its economic capabilities and level of development, offer public assistance to its inhabitants in the event of unemployment, old age, disease, or disability, as well as in situations of other unjustified need.
- The National Social Assistance Programme was included in the Central Budget for 1995–96 on August 15, 1995, by the Government of India in conformity with these noble values.
Components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
The NSAP had three parts when it first started in 1995:
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS),
- National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) and
- Program for National Maternity Benefits (NMBS). After that, on April 1, 2001, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) was moved from the Ministry of Rural Development to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- A new programme called as the Annapurna Scheme was introduced on April 1st, 2000. This programme attempted to satisfy the needs of older adults who were qualified but were left uninsured under the NOAPS by providing food security.
- Two new programmes, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), were unveiled in February 2009.
Eligibility and Amount of AID given by the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
According to the guidelines established by the Government of India, the applicant must be a member of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household in order to qualify for benefits under the NSAP. The following are the additional qualifying requirements and the level of central support for the NSAP sub-schemes. In addition to the central support, each state and the District of Columbia pay an equal share:
-
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS):
The minimum age to participate in IGNOAPS is 60. For people between 60 and 79 years old, the pension is Rs. 200 per month. The pension is Rs. 500 per month for those who are 80 years of age or above. -
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS):
The pension is Rs. 300 per month and the eligibility age is 40. After becoming 80 years old, the recipient will begin receiving Rs. 500 per month. -
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS):
Pensioners must be at least 18 years old and have a disability level of 80% to qualify. The recipient will receive Rs. 300 per month till they turn 80 and Rs. 500 per month after that. Additionally, dwarfs will be a category that qualifies for this pension. -
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS):
In the case that the breadwinner passes away, the grieving household would get Rs. 20000 as a lump sum help. It is made clear that the family would be eligible for support in the case of any death (natural or otherwise). For this purpose, a woman who stays at home and takes care of the family is also regarded as the “bread winner.” The surviving family member of the dead poor person’s home who is determined to be the head of the household following local investigation will get the family benefit. The word “household” would refer to the spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents for the purposes of the plan. The word “household” would encompass younger brothers and sisters and dependent parents in the event of the death of an unmarried adult. Such a breadwinner’s death ought to have taken place when he or she was older than 18 and younger than 60. Every instance of a family’s breadwinner passing away would receive help. -
Annapurna Scheme:
Per beneficiary, 10 kg of food grains (rice or wheat) are distributed each month. The programme seeks to satisfy the needs of eligible elderly people who have been left uninsured under the IGNOAPS by ensuring food security.
Implementation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Schemes:
The basic conditions that apply to all NSAP components as well as the particular conditions that apply to each component are followed when the NSAP is implemented in the States/UTs. The Social Welfare Departments of the States are primarily responsible for implementing the NSAP Schemes. However, the Rural Development Departments of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, the Departments of Women & Child Development in Orissa and Puducherry, the Revenue Department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Department of Labour Employment & Training in Jharkhand are responsible for implementing NSAP. The NSAP encompasses both urban and rural areas. Even though the different NSAP schemes are not implemented uniformly across the nation, the implementation-related concerns are frequently reviewed with State Government representatives in the Nodal Officers’ meetings and the quarterly PRC meetings.
Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1Q. Elaborate the existence of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) ?
Solution:
The National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) is a crucial step in realising the Directive Principles in Articles 41 and 42 of the Constitution, which acknowledge the concurrent responsibilities of the Central and State Governments in this area. In particular, Article 41 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State, to the extent of its economic capabilities and level of development, offer public assistance to its inhabitants in the event of unemployment, old age, disease, or disability, as well as in cases of other unjustified need.
2Q. With how many schemes presently National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is comprised?
Solution:
Currently, the NSAP is comprised of 5 schemes, that are
- Annapurna,
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS),
- National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS),
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), and
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS),
.
3Q. Who executes National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?
Solution:
The basic requirements that apply to all components of the NSAP as well as the particular requirements that apply to each component are followed when the NSAP is implemented in the States and UTs. The Social Welfare Departments of the States are primarily responsible for implementing the NSAP Schemes. However, the Rural Development Departments of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, the Departments of Women & Child Development in Orissa and Puducherry, the Revenue Department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Department of Labour Employment & Training in Jharkhand are responsible for implementing NSAP. The NSAP encompasses both urban and rural areas.
4Q. What is the Objective of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?
Solution:
The National Social Assistance Program is a social security and welfare programme that offers assistance to elderly people, widows, disabled people, and bereaved families after the loss of the major breadwinner in a home that falls below the federal poverty level.