National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare programme being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. This programme is being implemented in rural areas as well as urban areas. The National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August,1995 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution.

Article 41 of Indian Constitution

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.

These are intended to secure for the citizens adequate means of livelihood, raise the standard of living, improve public health, provide free and compulsory education for children etc.

Schemes under NSAP

NSAP comprises of five schemes:

  1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under the scheme, BPL persons aged 60 years or above are entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 200/- up to 79 years of age and those who are 80 years and above, the pension amount is Rs.500 per month
  2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under this scheme, the BPL widows aged 40-59 years are entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 200/-.
  3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Under this scheme, the BPL persons aged 18-59 years with severe and multiple disabilities are entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 200/-.
  4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Under the scheme a BPL household is entitled to lump sum amount of money on the death of primary breadwinner aged between 18 and 64 years. The amount of assistance is Rs. 10.000/-
  5. Annapurna: Under the scheme, 10 kg of food grains per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under NOAPS.

The government has earmarked Rs 9975 crore in budget 2018-19 for NSAP.

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