Ruopfulenuo
DIPR Feature
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) introduced by the Government of India on Independence Day 1995 is a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The NSAP has been introduced targeting the destitute, defined as any person who has little or no regular means of subsistence in their own sources of income or no support from the family members with the objective of providing a basic level of financial support.
Under NSAP sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Social Welfare Department is presently undertaking following schemes - Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefits Scheme and Annapurna Scheme implemented by Food and Civil Supply Department.
The performance and coverage of welfare scheme implemented under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme NSAP in Kohima district during the year 2014-2015 are as follows:
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): A person who has attained 60-79 years of age and living below poverty line is entitled a sum of Rs. 200/- per month. A total number of 6506 beneficiaries have been covered under this. A person of 80 years and above is also entitled for a pension of Rs. 500/- per month and 422 beneficiaries have been covered.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under the scheme, a Widow between 18 to 59 years of age is eligible for a pension of Rs. 300/- per month. 510 beneficiaries benefited during the year.
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Deserving BPL persons with severe and multiple disability are eligible for an amount Rs. 300/- per month. 170 beneficiaries were provided the pension during the year. Dwarfs are also eligible for the pension.
National Family Benefits Scheme: Under the scheme, a one-time grant of Rs. 20,000/- was given as assistance to a household in the event of death of the bread-winner (BPL). The eligible age of the person is 18 years to 59 years widow. 50 households have been provided the pension.
Annapurna Scheme implemented by Food and Civil Supply Department: Food grains weighing 10 kilograms (wheat or rice) is given per month per beneficiaries free of cost. The scheme aims to provide food security to meet the requirement of those eligible old age persons who have remained uncovered under the IGNOAPS. The scheme is totally implemented by Food and Civil Supply Department, Nagaland.
Eligibility of NSAP Scheme:
• Indigenous inhabitance of Nagaland of 60 years and above for OAPS. • No beneficiaries shall be eligible for more than one pension.
• In no circumstances a Government pensioner shall be eligible for pension under the rules.
• Grant of pension to both husband and wife simultaneously shall be considered only in the most deserving cases under the relevant schemes.
• It is classified that only BPL person from the eligible categories would be considered under NSAP except a Widow suffering from AIDS and does not hold Government jobs. • Professional beggars shall not be eligible for pension.
The Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland has been undertaking an important role – share in delivering the National Social Assistance Programme to a large scale at present by assessing the eligible vulnerable groups below poverty line under Kohima district. However, as the district is vast in areas, still a lot of efforts need to be emphasized for procuring funds from the Ministry of Rural Development to intensively go forward by providing avenues to the uncovered section of the scheme. The Department has targeted at least 1053 uncovered eligible Senior Citizen for 60-79 years category, 188 for 80 years and above in OAPS, 253 beneficiaries for Widow and 137 beneficiaries in the category of IGNDPS with proper documents to be fitted under NSAP during the current year, for which the process has been initiated to provide allocation of funds.
As the initiating process has been completed and the requisite requirements are submitted, the Department is hoping for the positive result with sanction order as sought.
(Source: District Welfare Office, Kohima)
