National Social Assistance Programme: Most Important Topic for 2023 NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.

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  • NSAP stands for National Social Assistance Programme. NSAP was launched on 15th August, 1995.
  • The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare programme administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • This programme is being implemented in rural as well as in urban areas. NSAP represents significant step towards the fulfillment of the directive principle of state policy enshrined in the constitution of India which enjoin upon the state to undertake within its means a number of a welfare measures.
  • An Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness & disablement & in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity & development.
  • The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 & 42 of the Constitution recognizing the concurrent responsibility of the Central & the State Governments in the matter.
  • Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness & disablement & in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity & development.
  • This programme is being implemented in rural areas as well as urban areas. NSAP represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive

Key Principles of the Schemes under NSAP

Illustration: Key Principles of the Schemes under NSAP

Objective of National Social Assistance Programme

  • National Social Assistance Programme is a social security & welfare programme to provide support to aged persons, widows, disabled persons & bereaved families on death of primary bread winner, belonging to below poverty line households.
  • The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August, 1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.
  • The programme introduced a National Policy for Social Assistance for the poor & aims at ensuring minimum national standard for social assistance in addition to the benefits that states are currently providing or might provide in future.
  • NSAP at present, comprises of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) , Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) , Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) , National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) & Annapurna.

Components of NSAP

  • The NSAP at its inception in 1995 had three components namely,
    • National Old Age Pension Scheme NOAPS,
    • National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
    • 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 & 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) & Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) were introduced.
  • Presently NSAP comprises of five schemes, namely:
    Illustration: Components of NSAP
    • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) ,
    • Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) ,
    • Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) ,
    • National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS
    • Annapurna.
  • The pension amount at present is 400 per person per month per person for age group 60 to 79 years and ₹ 500 per person from age group 80 and above. The states are supposed to contribute an equal amount vis-a-vis the scheme.
    • Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) : BPL widows aged 40 - 59 years are entitled to a monthly pension of ₹ 300⟋-.
    • Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) : BPL persons aged 18 - 59 years with severe & multiple disabilities are entitled to a monthly or ₹ 300⟋-.
    • 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 ₹ 20.000⟋-.
    • 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.
    • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) : All persons of 60 years (and above) & belonging to below the poverty line category according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India time to time, are eligible to be a beneficiary of the scheme.