RS 271.50 LAKHS RELEASED UNDER NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME TO SIKKIM TILL DECEMBER, 2008

Gangtok , Feb19: The Government of India has decided to expand the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) to include two pension schemes to be known as ' Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme' (IGNAPS) and 'Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) in addition to the existing Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). Addressing media persons in New Delhi today today Union Rural Development Minister Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said under the eligibility criteria for coverage under these new pension schemes the Widows who are between 40-64 years and belonging to a household below the poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India and Persons with severe or multiple disabilities between 18-64 years and belonging to a household below the poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Govt. of India will be covered.

The Minister said the decision to expend the scope of NSAP was taken in view of the fact that pension is provided not only to the aged but also to the widows and persons with severe or multiple disability. The justification for including persons with severe or multiple disability is that they can not avail of wage or self employment schemes. In he case of widows, some minimal income security is essential to enable them to live a life of dignity as also to enable them to look after their children, if any. Expansion of NSAP to include these two categories already find mention in the 11th Five Year Plan document. Also the Ministry has launched the NSAP-MIS which will capture database of beneficiaries under all pension schemes. The MIS will ensure that transparency is built into the scheme.

The central assistance for pension under the new schemes will be Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary. The State Governments are urged to contribute at least an equal amount so that beneficiaries receive pension at the rate of Rs.400 or more per month, as in the case of IGNOAPS. Further pension amount has to be credited into the Bank or Post Office Account of the beneficiary. The new schemes are estimated to benefit 4404289 widows and 1556004 persons with severe or multiple disability. The additional fund requirement would be Rs. 1057.03 crore for widow pension scheme and Rs. 373.44 crore for disability pension scheme.

Dr. Singh said the two new schemes come into force with immediate effect. However, before giving effect to the Schemes, States are required to to take the following action:-

(i) to identify all eligible beneficiaries as per the eligibility criteria

(ii) to place the database of eligible beneficiaries in the public domain/ website

(iii) to ensure that accounts are opened by the beneficiaries

He said states have been advised to operationalise the new schemes of IGNWPS and IGNOAPS out of the funds released under NSAP for the year 2008-09.

No. of beneficiaries reported by Sikkim during 2008-09 under IGNOAPS is 15169 , release of funds Rs 271.50 lakhs & Rate of Pension under IGNOAPS RS 400/- per month per beneficiary which includes Central Assistance. (PIB)