Lok Sabha Question No. 2451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Pension to Marginalized Groups
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2451 ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## PENSION TO MARGINALIZED GROUPS

## 2451. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has periodically evaluated "pension provided to marginalized groups such as the elderly, widows and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)";
- (b) if  so, the parameters used to determine the pension for these marginalized sections;
- (c) the number of pension beneficiaries from marginalized sections since 2000; and
- (d) the reasons for meager  pension  amount  being  given by Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

- (a) & (b): Rate of  assistance, coverage of  beneficiaries, eligibility criteria  etc.  under  various  pension  schemes  of  National  Social Assistance  Programme  (NSAP)  such  as  Old  Age  Pension  Scheme, Widow Pension Scheme, Disability Pension Scheme implemented by the  Government have  been evaluated through impact assessment/ evaluation  studies  from  time  to  time.  Major  parameter  envisaged under  these  schemes  is  to  provide  basic  level  social  security assistance to marginalized and vulnerable category of citizens such as Old age, Divyangjan and Widows
- (c): Under  NSAP,  ceiling/Cap  of  1.03  crore beneficiaries  was introduced  with  the  inception  of  the  Programme  in  1995.  The numerical ceiling was revised to 1.33 crore in 1998. In 2000, a new scheme, namely, Annapurna was launched in 2000 to provide food security for eligible senior citizen uncovered under Old age pension scheme  and National Maternity Benefit  Scheme  (NMBS)  was

transferred to Department of Family Welfare in 2001. In 2009, two new pension schemes for widows and the disabled were introduced, namely, National  Widow  Pension  Scheme  (Cap-54.8  lakh)  and National Disability Pension Scheme (Cap-15.65 lakh). In 2011-12, the ceiling of beneficiaries under NSAP schemes was revised to about 3.27  crore  beneficiaries  based  on  the  population  figure  of  census 2001 and Poverty Ratio  2004-05.  The ceiling  of  some  States//UTs were revised in subsequent years due to non-utilization of the ceiling in some of the schemes and since 2012 the ceiling is continued at about 3.09 crore beneficiaries.

(d): NSAP  was  introduced  to  provide  basic  level  social  security assistance  to  most  vulnerable  category  of  citizens.  As  per  NSAP guidelines, States/UTs are urged to provide an additional amount of at  least  an  equivalent  amount  to  the  assistance  provided  by  the Central Government so that the beneficiaries can get a decent level of assistance. While considering the continuation of National Social Assistance Programme  (NSAP) schemes for the 15 th Finance Commission cycle (2021-26), the revision in beneficiary coverage and rate of central assistance under the schemes was considered by the Government. However, considering the available financial space, the Government  has  approved  continuation  of  NSAP  schemes  in  its present form.

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