Old age pension increased to Rs 200

New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) The cabinet today increased pension under the National Old Age Pension Scheme from Rs 75 to Rs 200 per beneficiary per month for destitute of the age of 65 and above.

This increase will be effective from April 1, 2006.

Speaking after the Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said the proposed increase will extend the much needed financial support to old and destitute to manage their livelihood.

''A sum of Rs 1,430 crores for this purpose has been provided in the budget 2006-07 as additional allocation.'' The Cabinet had approved the proposal for launching National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). NSAP has three components, the nAtional Old Age pension Scheme (NOAPS),the NAtional Family Benefit Scheme (NGBS) and the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS).

It came into effect on 15th August 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 NOAPS, RS 75 per month was given to desitute persons of 65 years and above.

UNI RT SB DS1413