Social Security Scheme
The main objectives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as per provision in the Article 40 of the Constitution of India
are to uphold economic development and social justice. In order to make effective of the noble ideology, the Government of India on 15th August 1995 included the National Social Assistance Programme in the Central Budget for 1995-96 .The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) then comprised of National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programmes are meant for providing social assistance benefit to the aged, the BPL households in the case of death of the primary breadwinner and for maternity. Subsequently, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme was renamed as Janani Surakshya Yojona and the implementation of the scheme was transferred to the Health and Family Welfare department with effect from 1st April,2001 .
Indira Gandi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the selected beneficiaries as per the following
Criteria :
- Age of the applicant (male or female) is 65 years of more,
- The applicant’s family falls under the BPL category as per RHS survey.
The amount of Old Age Pension was increased fourfold i.e. from Rs. 100/- per month to Rs. 400/- per month during the financial year, which is shared equally by the Central & State Governments. Previously the Central Government contributed Rs 75/ per person and the balance Rs 25/ was contributed by the State Government. In order to improve delivery of services the Gram Panchayat were conferred sanctioning authority, previously vested in the S.D.O.
From November, 2007, the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). The benefit of pension has been extended to all individuals who have attained the age of 65 years as on November, 2007 and are enlisted in the list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Present Position in the District
- No of Sanctioned Beneficiary :- 54, 848 as on 01.4.2009
- Total alive beneficiary :- 49,067
- Pension amount distributed to the Gram Panchayat up to the month of March, 2009
- Pension for April to June recently received one week back by the District which will be sub-allotted very shortly.
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
This scheme provides a onetime financial assistance to the families living below the poverty line, which have lost their primary bread-winner, while aged between 18 & 65 years. Suicidal Cases will not be covered under the scheme.
In the earlier years benefit of the schemes did not reach all the eligible families. With closer monitoring and taking up special drives in increasing awareness about the scheme the coverage has improved in the last two years. In order to speedy sanctioning and disbursement of the due amount the duty of sanctioning the cases was devolved on the Panchayat Samitis, which was earlier entrusted with the SDOs.
Present Position in the District
- In the First Quarter in 2009-10 financial year 188 NFBS cases have been sanctioned
- Sanctioned cases received from 130 GP out of total 170 GPs. The rest 40 no. of GP will submit their cases within 31.7.2009
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
A. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
i) Objective of the Scheme is to give finanacial assistance @ Rs. 400/- per month to all the identified pensioners who are widows of the age group of 40 years - 64 years, and from families which are below poverty line. The coverage will be universal and there shall not be any quota at any level.
ii) Eligibility criteria and requirement of documents:
To get the benefit of the scheme , following criteria need to be fulfilled by an applicant :
a) She must not be less than 40 years of age and not above 64 years.
b) She should have to be from a family which is below the poverty line.
c) She shall get the pension till she attains the age of 65 years or till her re-marriage.#
( Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat shall review the list of the widows regularly and report any case of re-marriage)
Present Position in the District
- Total No of Beneficiary identified in the district up to 31.7.2009 :- 3605
B. Indira Gandhi National Disability Scheme (IGNDPS)
i) Objective of the scheme is to give financial assistance @ Rs. 400/‐ (Four hundred ) per month to all the identified beneficiaries who are of the age group of18 years - 64 years, with severe disability ( i.e. more than 80% disability) or multiple disabilities ( having more than one disability and at least 40% incapacitation in each type of disability, totaling disabilities 80% or more) and from families which are below the poverty line. Both male and female will be eligible to get the benefit of the scheme. The coverage will be universal and there shall not be any quota at any level.
ii) Eligibility criteria and requirement of documents:
To get the benefit of the scheme, following criteria need to be fulfilled by an applicant :
a) She/ He must not be less than 18 years of age and not above 64 years.
b) She/He should be from a family which is below the poverty line.
c) She/He shall be with severe disability (i.e. more than 80% disability) or multiple disabilities (having more than one disability and at least 40% incapacitation in each kind of disability,totaling disabilities 80% or more)
d) She/He shall get the pension until she/he attains the age of 65 years.
e) In case of any dispute related to determination of age, birth certificate /certificate of the Headmaster of the Primary / Madhyamik School in which she/he studied last / horoscope will be accepted. If the applicant did not study in a school, certificate of the Pradhan / concerned member of the Gram Panchayat will be accepted.
f) She/He shall have to produce certificate issued by Social Welfare Department of the District regarding her/his disability in support of her/his claim.
Present Position in the District
- In IGNWPS 3605 cases and in IGNDPS 80 cases have been identified and sanctioned different by Panchayat Samities of the district. The approved list in PDF will be submitted to the department very shortly as per their schedule.
Provident Fund For Landless Agicultural Labourers(PROFLAL)
The Scheme was introduced from 1st 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 and 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. On 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 Aadmi Bima Yojana
The State Government has decided that all the existing beneficiries under PROFLAL will be covered under the Aam Admi Bima Yojana. The state and the cetral government will pay premium @ Rs 100/ each per family for each such family per year. Benfits include payment of Rs 30,000/ and Rs 75,000/ only on the event of natural and accidental death respectively. There is also provision for payment on the event of disability @ Rs 75,000/ and Rs 37,500/ based on nature of disability. Up to two children of those families, who are students of class IX to XII, will get a monthly scholarship of Rs 100/ pm through their institutions.
Present Position in the District
- Total no. of beneficiary 2260, presently running in 10 Blocks.
- New Benefit in Proflal Scheme has been ensured by Aam Admi Bima Yoyona. Computerised Database for launching of Aam Admi Bima Yoyona, have been submitted by 8 out of 10 blocks. (Excluding Jhalda-I & Manbazar-I). The Database of rest two No of Blocks will be submitted by 20.7.2009
- Block wise Special drive will be taken up in the month of August to ensure timely submission of beneficiary’s contribution.
(Source: District Panchayat & Rural Development Officer, Purulia)