INDIA: National Old Age Pension Increased to Rs.200 Per Month

NEW DELHI (Press Information Bureau), July 13, 2006: The Union Cabinet today increased pension under the National Old Age Pension Scheme from Rs.75 to Rs.200 per beneficiary per month for destitute persons of the age of 65 and above. This increase will be effective from April 1, 2006. The proposed increase will extend much needed financial support to old and destitute persons to manage their livelihoods. For this purpose, a sum of Rs.1,430 crore has been provided in the Union Budget 2006-07 as additional allocation. The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)has three components (i) the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), (ii) the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and (iii) the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). It came into effect on August 15, 1995 as a wholly Centrally funded programme to give financial assistance to families with little or no regular means of subsistence living below the poverty line. Under this scheme, Rs.75 per month was given to destitute persons of 65 years and above. Now the amount has been increased to Rs.200 per month.