The National Social Assistance program was launched on 15th August 1995 to offer support to aged persons, disabled persons, bereaved families in case of death of the primary breadwinner belonging to the below poverty line households.
The main components of the National Social assistance program:
The objectives of the scheme
The National Social Assistance Program was launched to abide by Article 41 of the Indian Constitution. Under this, they have stated that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide public assistance in case of old age, sickness, disabilities, and unemployment. The national social assistance program is helping all those who are paying them every month in the form of social pensions.
Schemes that are part of the National Social Assistance Program
National Old age Pension Scheme:
This scheme is implemented as a part of the National Social Assistance program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It is a non-contributory scheme under which the government is offering the monthly income for citizens or refugees above 60 years., who have no other sources of income.
National Family Benefit Scheme
The National Family Benefit Scheme, the fourth scheme that falls under the National Social Assistance Program, provides a death benefit of Rs 40,000/- to families where the sole breadwinner of the family has passed away. The criterion is that the breadwinner should have been between 18 to 64 years old.
National Maternity Benefit Scheme
This scheme is benefiting pregnant women above 19 years old. The financial assistance is limited to Rs 500 for her first two children.
Eligibility:
Annapurna Scheme
The Annapurna scheme is introduced as a part of the National Social Assistance program on April 01, 2000. The aim is to offer food security to meet the requirements of those senior citizens who remain uncovered National old-age pension scheme. The beneficiaries under this scheme are provided with 10 Kg of food grains per month. The Government of India has made a collaboration with the Food Corporation of India for releasing food grains district-wise on payment of the cost of Foodgrains at CIP rates directly to FCI offices.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme
All widows who fall within the age group of 40 years to 65 years whose family falls the below poverty line. The government will provide widow Rs 1200 per month under this scheme. She will also receive Rs 400 per month under the state-sponsored Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana.
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Scheme
This scheme was launched in February 2009 by the Ministry of Rural Development headed by the Central Government for supporting the disabled people in our country. Any disabled person who is more than 18 years, and with 40% disability belonging to the poverty line can make themselves enrolled under this scheme. A sum of Rs 300 is paid as pension for people up to the age of 79 and a sum of Rs 500 is applicable for people who are above the age of 79 years old.