The Hindu : National : Old age pension increased

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 16, 2006
ePaper

National

National

Old age pension increased

Special Correspondent

Budget for social aid, Annapurna schemes enhanced

NEW DELHI: Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Friday said that the budget allocation under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Annapurna has been enhanced to Rs.2,800.54 crore during the current year from Rs.1,190 crore in 2005-06.

This has been done in the wake of the enhanced norms of pension taking into account poverty ratio as indicated in the Approach Paper to Eleventh Plan and the figures of population projection, Mr. Singh said while addressing the meeting of the consultative committee of his Ministry. The monthly pension amount under National Old Age Pension Schemes (NOAPs) has been increased from Rs. 75 to Rs. 200 and the State Governments have been advised to make an equal contribution from their resources so that a destitute pensioner gets at least Rs. 400 every month. The States of Uttaranchal, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu had enhanced their share. More than 50 per cent BPL families would benefit by the scheme, he said.

State Governments had also been asked to give their comments to establish a system within two years so that the pension amount could be credited to the beneficiary's account in a post office or a bank.

The Ministry proposed further expansion of NSAP to bring more widows and disabled under its fold. Review of NSAP and Annapurna had been made part of the agenda of District level Vigilance & Monitoring Committees and the MPs would now review the implementation of these schemes .

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National