NSAP Pension Scheme Revisions and Continuation: Government’s Decision and State Implementation. Average Monthly Pension, Disbursement Methods, and DBT Adoption for Timely Payments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 651
ANSWERED ON 06/02/2024
INCREASING PENSION UNDER NSAP
651. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the necessity for timely increments in the pension amounts provided under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has any monitoring system to ensure the punctual distribution of pensions by the concerned State Governments; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a): Yes, Sir. The amount of pension under pension schemes of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been reviewed and revised from time to time. After the NSAP schemes came into effect on 15th August, 1995, it was revised in 2000, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012. In 2007, the eligibility criteria of “destitution” was replaced by BPL and the rate of assistance under old age pension scheme increased from ₹75/- to ₹200/-. In the year 2011, assistance under old age was increased to ₹500/- for persons of 80 years and above. In 2012, the rate of assistance under widow and disability pension schemes was increased to ₹300/- from ₹200/- for the widows in the age of 40-79 years and disabled persons in the age group of 18-79 years.
While considering the continuation of the NSAP schemes for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-26), revision in the eligibility criteria and rate of assistance under the NSAP schemes was also considered by the Government. However, considering the available financial resources, the Government approved continuation of NSAP scheme in its present form. However, States/ UTs are encouraged to provide top- up amounts atleast equal to the central assistance. At present, States/ UTs are adding top-up amounts ranging from Rs.50 to Rs.3200 pm under pension schemes of NSAP, as a result, NSAP pensioners are getting, on a average, Rs.1000 as monthly pension in several States/ UTs.
(b) & (c): NSAP Guidelines provide for disbursement of pension by States/ UTs on monthly basis. At present, 27 States/UTs disburse pensions on monthly basis, 3 States, namely, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand disburse pension on quarterly basis (in advance) and 2 States, namely, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland disburse pension on non-periodic basis. States/UTs are requested to disburse pension on monthly basis. In order to ensure timely disbursement of pension to the beneficiaries by States/ UTs, almost all States have adopted Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) / Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) system and disbursing pension through Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
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