Executive Summary:
This document answers questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Annapurna Scheme, a sub-scheme of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), aimed at providing food security to senior citizens. It addresses potential revisions to beneficiary selection criteria, a request from the Government of Kerala, and the adequacy of social welfare pensions. The NSAP schemes, including Annapurna, are approved until 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
Annapurna Scheme Overview:
Aims to provide food security to senior citizens uncovered by the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under NSAP.
Provides 10 kgs of food grains per month free of cost to beneficiaries.
Beneficiary Selection and Eligibility:
States/UTs are responsible for identifying beneficiaries based on stipulated eligibility criteria as per NSAP guidelines.
There is no current proposal to revise the beneficiary selection criteria under NSAP schemes.
Kerala's Request:
The Government does not plan to exempt the condition that Annapurna beneficiaries cannot be recipients of other social welfare pension schemes.
Declining Demand:
The lifting of food grains under the Annapurna scheme has declined since 2016-17, with no demand from states, including Kerala, since FY 2021-22.
Many states implement similar old-age pension schemes that may cover eligible persons beyond the IGNOAPS state ceiling.
NSAP Revamp and Financial Considerations:
A proposal to revamp NSAP, including revisions to eligibility criteria and assistance rates, was considered but not implemented due to financial constraints.
The government approved the continuation of NSAP schemes in their present form for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-26).
State Contributions:
States/UTs are encouraged to provide top-up amounts equivalent to the central government's assistance.
States/UTs are adding top-up amounts ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 5700 per month per beneficiary under NSAP pension schemes.
NSAP beneficiaries are receiving an average monthly pension of Rs. 1100 in several states.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories:
Impact: Responsible for identifying beneficiaries and encouraged to provide top-up amounts to the central assistance.
Action Required: Continue identifying eligible beneficiaries as per existing guidelines and consider providing additional financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Senior Citizens Eligible for Annapurna Scheme:
Impact: May continue to receive 10 kgs of food grains per month free of cost if they meet the eligibility criteria and are not covered under IGNOAPS or similar state schemes.
Action Required: Ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and apply through the appropriate channels in their respective states/UTs.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution:
Impact: Oversees the Annapurna scheme and NSAP.
Action Required: Continue monitoring the implementation of the scheme and consider future revisions based on financial feasibility and evaluation studies.
Key Entities Referenced
Annapoorna Scheme: A sub-scheme of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) aimed at providing food security to senior citizens who are eligible but not covered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): A social welfare program providing financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): A pension scheme under NSAP specifically for senior citizens.
National Food Security Act, 2013: An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Government of Kerala: The state government of Kerala, which requested an exemption from certain conditions for beneficiaries under the Annapoorna scheme.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer protection, food security, and public distribution.
15th Finance Commission: The finance commission in India for the cycle 2021-26, during which the continuation of NSAP was considered.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding the Annapoorna Scheme was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1814
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER ANNAPOORNA SCHEME
1814. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to relax the conditions for selecting the beneficiaries
of Annapoorna scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government consider the request of Government of Kerala to exempt the
conditions that the beneficiaries are not included in any of the social welfare pension scheme
so as to entitle the benefits ofArmapoorna and if so, the details of action taken thereon;
(d) whether it comes to the notice of the Union Government that the deserving poor and
eligible families in Kerala is not included in the beneficiary list of Annapoorna due to the
aforesaid condition;
(e) if so, the action taken by the Union Government to provide the benefit to all deserving
poor and needed families; and
(f) whether the Union Government analysed the social welfare pension is meager and not
sufficient to ensure food security and if so, the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): Existing eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance under National Social
Assistance Programme (NS AP) schemes including that of Annapurnna scheme are approved
for a period upto 2025-26. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to revise the
criteria under NS AP schemes-2-
(c) to (e): Annapurna Scheme, a demand driven sub-scheme of NS AP, is aimed at
providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who, though eligible,
have remained uncovered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
(IGNOAPS) under NS AP. Under the Scheme, 10 kgs of food grains per month is provided free
of cost to the beneficiary. As per guidelines of NS AP, the States/UTs are responsible for
identification of beneficiaries as per the stipulated eligibility criteria.
With the implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013, the lifting of food grains
under the Annapurna scheme has shown a declining trend since 2016-17 and there has been no
demand since FY 2021-22 from States including Kerala. Moreover, most of the States also
implement similar old age pension schemes which may cover the eligible old age persons
beyond the state ceiling under IGNOAPS.
(f): Based on various recommendations and evaluation studies, a proposal for revamp of
NS AP, which inter-alia included revision in eligibility criteria, rate of assistance and sharing
arrangement with the States was considered during continuation of NS AP for the 15th Finance
Commission cycle (2021-26). However, considering the available financial space, the
Government has approved continuation of NS AP schemes in its present form.
As per guidelines of NS AP, the State/UTs are encouraged to provide top up amount of
at least equivalent to the assistance provided by the Central Govt. so that the beneficiaries
could get a decent level of assistance. At present, the States/UTs are adding top up amounts
ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 5700 per month per beneficiaries under Pension Schemes of NSAP
schemes. As a result, on an average, the NS AP beneficiaries are receiving satisfactory monthly
pension of Rs. 1100/- per month in several States.
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