The Commission shall Ministry of Rural Development We will make new proposals to the Cabinet and press for an immediate increase in pensions by “utilizing our persuasive powers.”
There are over 300 million beneficiaries from below the poverty line (BPL) categories covered by various components of NSAP. Pensions under this scheme have not changed despite repeated requests for increases, but state top-ups vary widely between Rs 50 and Rs 3,200 per month.
The 31-member Standing Committee on Rural Development and panchayati raj, in their report on requesting subsidies for 2023-24 for the Ministry of Rural Development, said: Relief to beneficiaries belonging to the most marginalized and economically deprived segments of society. ”
The commission, chaired by Kanimozhi Karunaidhi, said in its report that the meager amount of aid had long been a cause for concern for the commission. “The commission acknowledged this extremely low amount and is totally unacceptable when the cost of living has increased significantly,” it said.
The National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. The components of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Plan, Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Plan and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Plan range from just Rs.200 to Rs.500 per month for eligible beneficiaries. In addition to this NSAP, it also includes the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) where the head of a BPL family survivor is provided with her Rs 20,000 in case of death of the primary breadwinner aged 18-59. The Annapurna scheme provides 10 kg of grain per month for her BPL seniors who do not receive an old age pension. NFBS and Annapurna are demand-based schemes.