National Social Assistance Program

National Social Assistance Program

News: An audit conducted by the CAG has revealed that approximately Rs 79 crore was improperly transferred to ineligible beneficiaries under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development between 2017 and 2021.

Background:
• Article 151 of the Constitution mandates the CAG to present audit reports to the President.

What is the NSAP?
• The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare programme first launched in 1995 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. It was included in the ‘Core of Core’ schemes of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in 2016.
• It seeks to provide social assistance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, specifically targeting the elderly, disabled individuals, widows, etc.

What are the key components of NSAP?
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, National Family Benefit Scheme, Annapurna Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.

What are the key findings of Audit Report?
• A substantial portion of transferred funds was disbursed to ineligible beneficiaries, including those who had passed away.
• Nearly Rs 3 crore was diverted for campaigning in respect to other ministry schemes.
• Most states (except Haryana and Kerala) failed to maintain a proper database of eligible beneficiaries, resulting in the exclusion of eligible individuals.
• Many states relied on outdated or incomplete BPL lists instead of the mandated SECC to identify beneficiaries, leading to the exclusion of eligible individuals.
• Owing to such errors, eligible beneficiaries have missed out on receiving due benefits.
• The report underscores the need for more rigorous oversight and transparent management of social assistance programs to ensure that funds are allocated appropriately to those who truly need them.
• The report highlights problems in basic tasks involving record keeping, beneficiary identification etc.