Parliament Question: Implementation of recommendations of the 2014 Task Force on NSAP

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 2014 TASK FORCE ON NSAP 1739 Ms. Swati Maliwal: Will the Minister of Rural Development be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has taken cognisance of 2014 Task Force on National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which recommended indexing social pensions to inflation, preferably using Dearness Allowance-linked criteria, to protect their real value over time; (b) whether the task force also recommended uniform minimum pension standards across States with a higher financial contribution from Centre; (c) if so, action taken by Government on the above recommendations; (d) if not implemented, the reasons for non-implementation so far; and (e) whether Government proposes to review or revise the design and financing of NSAP in light of rising inflation and inter-State disparities, if so, the timeline thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) & (b): Yes. The Task Force constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah has recommended that the rates of assistance under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) be indexed annually to inflation, using the same criteria as adopted for the payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees. It has further recommended that an advisory be issued to the States to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are covered under NSAP with due augmentation of at least an equivalent amount from States. (c) to (e): As per NSAP guidelines, States/UTs are also encouraged to provide top-ups over and above the central assistance. Presently, States/UTs are adding top-ups ranging from Rs. 50/- to Rs. 5700/- per month per beneficiary under the pension schemes of NSAP. As a result, NSAP pensioners are getting monthly pension on an average of Rs. 1100/- in several States/ UTs. Based on various recommendations, a proposal for revamp of NSAP, which inter-alia included revision in eligibility criteria, rate of assistance and sharing arrangement with the States was considered during continuation of NSAP for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-26). However, the Government has approved continuation of NSAP schemes in its present form. ***** Page 1 of 1