The central pension under the Old Age Pension Scheme of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is ₹ 200/- per month per beneficiary from 60 to 79 years of age and ₹ 500/- per month per beneficiary from 80 years onwards. As per guidelines of NSAP, the States/UTs are encouraged to provide top-up amount of at least an equivalent amount to the assistance provided by the Central Government so that the beneficiaries could get a decent level of assistance. At present, the States/UTs are adding top-up amount ranging from ₹ 50 to ₹ 3800 per month per beneficiary under Old age Pension Scheme of NSAP, resulting in an average monthly pension of around ₹1,000/- in most of the States/UTs.

Under NSAP, funds are released to the States/UTs which have the responsibility of implementation of the scheme including further disbursal of pension to beneficiaries in districts/ blocks/ villages/ towns. State-wise total funds released under old age pension scheme during the last five years is given at Annexure-I. There was no separate allocation of funds for SC and ST beneficiaries under NSAP before 2021-22. From 2021-22, SC and ST beneficiaries are identified among the existing beneficiaries of NSAP and funds are being allocated/released under SC and ST heads. Category-wise funds released under old age pension scheme during last five years to the State of Rajasthan is given at Annexure-II.

Annexure-I

State-wise and year-wise details of Fund released to States/UTs under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

(Rs. in Lakh)

 

Annexure-II

Category-wise funds released under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme during last five years to the State of Rajasthan

(Rs. in Lakh)

 

This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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RC/ KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2152593)