DIFFERENT SCHEMES NSAP PROFLAL AAM ADMI BIMA YOJANA

DIFFERENT SCHEMES : NSAP; PROFLAL & AAM ADMI BIMA YOJANA

INTRODUCTION OF NSAP The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India enjoin upon the State to undertake within its means a number of welfare measures, targeting the poor and the destitute in particular. Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in the case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement as well as in other cases of undeserved want, within the limit of the

Social security, invalid and old age pensions figure as items 23 and 24 of the 7 th Schedule of the Constitution of India in the Concurrent List. It is in compliance of these guiding principles, that the Government of India introduced on Independence Day, 1995 the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme targeting the destitutes to be identified by the States and UTs with the objective of providing a basic level of financial support.

ØFrom the year 2007, the scheme was expanded to cover all eligible persons Below Poverty Line (BPL). The scheme for old age persons was renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). ØIntroduction of Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) ØNSAP was expanded in 2009 to cover more vulnerable groups. In February 2009, Government of India approved pension to BPL widows in the age group of 40 -

ØGovernment of India also approved pension to BPL persons suffering from severe or multiple disabilities in the age group of 18 -64 years. This scheme was named Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS). For the purpose of defining severe or multiple disabilities the following legal provisions will be followed: ØAs per Section 56(4) of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (PWD Act, 95), “persons with severe disability” means a person with 80% or more of one or more disabilities.

Components of NSAP The NSAP at present includes five sub-schemes as its components : - a) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) b) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) c) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

Ø Eligibility Criteria and Scale of Assistance The assistance under the sub-schemes of NSAP are applicable only for persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. The other eligibility criteria and the scale of assistance under the sub-schemes of NSAP are as follows : Ø Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): The eligible age for IGNOAPS is 60 years. The pension is Rs. 400 p. m. For persons between 60 years and 80 years. For persons who are 80 years and above the pension is Rs. 1000/- per month.

Ø Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): The eligible age is 40 years and the pension is Rs. 600/- per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs. 1000/- per month. Ø Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): The eligible age for the pensioner is 18 years and the amount is Rs. 600/- per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs. 1000/per month.

Ø National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Rs. 40000/- will be given as one time assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the breadwinner. A woman in the family, who is a home maker, is also considered as a “bread-winner” for this purpose. The family benefit will be paid to such surviving member of the household of the deceased poor, who after local enquiry, is found to be the head of the household. For the purpose of the scheme, the term “household” would include spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters and dependent parents. In case of death of an unmarried adult, the term household would include minor brothers/ sisters and dependent parents.

ØAnnapurna Scheme: 10 kg of food grain (wheat or rice) per month per beneficiary. The scheme aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those eligible old aged persons who have remained uncovered under the IGNOAPS. ØTill the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) is finalized, the allocation of funds among the States / UTs would be based on BPL list. Once the SECC is finalized, the allocation of funds to the States / UTs for the schemes of NSAP would be on the basis of the number of old age, widows and disabled people from among the BPL population once the Socio-Economic Caste Census

Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS) – CPSMS is a web-based outline transaction system for fund management and e-payment to implementing agencies and beneficiaries. The primary objective of CPSMS is to establish an efficient fund flow system and expenditure network. It generates scheme specific MIS on utilization of funds released from Consolidated Fund of India on real time basis. Accordingly, States / UTs use CPSMS for disbursing the funds under the schemes of NSAP.

Ø Aadhaar based platform for pension disbursement : - This platform will further enhance efficiency in the sanction, payment and disbursement process. Many States and UTs have reached an advanced stage in Aadhaar enrolment of beneficiaries, recognizing the fact that this will help in reduction of leakages and duplication. It would also provide mobility to the pensioner in case of migration from one place to another. This platform will support financial inclusion also. This should be followed up by seeding the Aadhaar numbers in the Bank / Post Office accounts. It is ensured that no beneficiary is denied his or her entitlements for

ØSocial Audit 6. 10. 1 Participation of the public in decision making and policy execution is one of the tenets of good governance. If the members of the society particularly the stakeholders of a scheme are involved in scrutinizing and evaluating the implementation of the scheme at the field level, the learnings can help to implement the scheme in a more meaningful manner and the shortcomings, if any, found and brought to the fore, could be eliminated. It is for this purpose that “Social Audit” is essential in implementation and monitoring of the schemes under NSAP. Social Audit not only leads to the refinement of the schemes but also enhances

Provident Fund for Landless Agriculture Labourers (PROFLAL) The Scheme was introduced from 1 st April 1998. All landless agricultural labourers within the age group of 18 to 50 years who are recorded holders of up to 50 (fifty) decimal of land including homestead land major source of earnings are derived from their work as agricultural labourers are eligible for the scheme. The eligible subscribers to the scheme have to deposit at the rate of Rs. 20/- (twenty) per month and the State Government contributes equal amount till such time the subscribers attain the age of 50 years.

ØOn attaining the age of 50 years, the accumulated amount along with usual interest is paid to the subscribers. If for some reason the subscriber does not find it possible to continue with the scheme, the amount saved by him along with the matching contribution of the State Government against the amount saved are refunded to the subscriber concerned. The scheme is administered by the Gram Panchayats at the village level. The Block Development Officer concerned have supervisory role in implementing the scheme.

AAM ADMI BMIA YOJANA Ø Landless agricultural labours (other than existing PROFLAL beneficiaries) between the age group of 18 to 59 years and with less than 50 decimal of land, including homestead land, recorded in his/her name or likely to be inherited by him/her, will be eligible for enrollment under Aam Admi Bima Yojana. However, the benefit of Aam Admi Bima Yojona will be extended to either the head of the family or any one earning member of the families of the eligible landless agricultural labours. Ø The applicants willing to come under this scheme will

ØThe applicants will be required to submit declaration regarding their land particulars ØFurther, the applicant has to submit any of the age proof documents as specified in the guidelines of PROFLAL. ØSteps to be taken at District Level. i) Verify application forms and connected documents received from the Panchayat Samitis and approve applications of the eligible beneficiaries. ii) Prepare a Block specific data-base of all such

ØIii) Arrange to send the same to the Commissioner, Panchayats & Rural Development, West Bengal. ØSteps to be taken at State Level. i) On receipt of the database of beneficiaries to be covered under Aam Admi Bima Yojana from the Districts, Commissioner, Panchayats & Rural Development, West Bengal will arrange to send the same to IT Cell of the P & R. D. Department. ii) Such database will be collected from the District twice a year, by 15 th day of the month, in the month of April and October. iii) IT Cell of the P & RD Department will hand over the

ØCommissioner, Panchayats & Rural Development will recommend and forward the lists of beneficiaries along with their application forms to Life Insurance Corporation of India for their coverage under Aam Admi Bima Yojana. The names of the approved beneficiaries and policy certificate of each beneficiary will appear in the official website of the P & R. D. Department and the Gram Panchayat Pradhan will make necessary arrangement to download the policy certificates and distribute the same to the incumbent concerned.

Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Project(ISGPP) Back Ground The World Bank Supported Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Project(ISGPP) started in West Bengal in 1000 selected Gram Panchayats in nine districts (Howrah , Coach Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Birbhum, Nadia , Burdwan, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur & Purba Medinipur). It is implemented by Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal with the objective to develop institutionally strengthened Gram Panchayats in West Bengal. The programme became effective on 3 rd September, 2010 and expected to close on 31 st December, 2015 Howrah is one out of nine selected districts for ISGPP in West

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to develop institutionally strengthened GPs. Achievement of the PDO will be measured in terms of the following performance indicators: 80% of 1000 GPs (800) have well-functioning fiduciary and planning systems and A performance-based grant transfer system is well established to roll out to other GPs. Project Components: There are four components in the Project Grants to Gram Panchayats: Performance based Grant provided to GPs to execute their service delivery functions more effectively Capacity Building for Gram Panchayats : This component has been supporting strengthening of institutional capacity building of

State Government Oversight and Monitoring of PRI: This component has been mandated to strengthening the PRDD systems for monitoring of PRIs. Programme Management & implementation : This component has been supporting the implementation and management of the project including Project communication Grants to Gram Panchayats: Performance based Grant provided to GPs to execute their service delivery functions more effectively. Block Grant is a performance based grant. In every year a GP has to pass in Minimum Mandatory Conditions (MMC) to receive Block Grant. If any GP fails to fulfil one criteria, it will not be eligible for Block Grant. MMCs are: MMC-1: -Approval of Upa-samiti wise plan & budget within 31 st January

MMC-2: - at least 60% expenditure of all untied funds excluding opening balance(from April to Dec in a Financial Year), MMC-3: - No adverse comment in last available ELA Audit MMC-4: - GPMS is in excellent condition (updated within 15 days) Assessment of Gram Panchayats for receiving Block Grant Previously, GPs received BG (2010 -11, 2011 -12 and 2012 -13) on the basis of fulfilling the four Minimum Mandatory Conditions (MMC) only, but since 2013 -14 each GP has to pass in Annual Performance Assessment (APA) also. Capacity Building for Gram Panchayats: This component has been supporting strengthening of institutional capacity building of the Gram Panchayats to reduce their capacity gaps in execution of their functional responsibilities along with improvement of their fiduciary and planning process Handholding support to the Gram Panchayats.