Expenditure under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) from 2002-03 to 2014-15

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15^th August, 1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution. The programme introduced a National Policy for Social Assistance for the poor and aims at ensuring minimum national standard for social assistance in addition to the benefits that states are currently providing or might provide in future. NSAP presently comprises of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and Annapurna.

The expenditure on National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was Rs. 582.99 crores during the year 2002-03. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 651.85 crores during the year 2003-04. It increased by Rs. 68.86 crores as compared to the year 2002-03. In percentage terms, the growth was 11.81% during the period. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 872.56 crores during the year 2004-05. It increased by Rs. 220.71 crores as compared to the year 2003-04. In percentage terms, the growth was 33.86% during the period. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 1977.42 crores during the year 2006-07. It increased by Rs. 936.4 crores as compared to the year 2005-06. In percentage terms, the growth was 89.95% during the period. This was the maximum annual growth rate in expenditure on NSAP during the period under consideration from 2002-03 to 2014-15.

The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 5352.36 crores during the year 2010-11. It increased by Rs. 633.53 crores as compared to the year 2009-10. In percentage terms, the growth was 13.43% during the period. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 6192.4 crores during the year 2011-12. It increased by Rs. 840.04 crores as compared to the year 2010-11. In percentage terms, the growth was 15.69% during the period. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 6626.33 crores during the year 2012-13. It increased by Rs. 433.93 crores as compared to the year 2011-12. In percentage terms, the growth was 7.01% during the period.

The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 8347.22 crores during the year 2013-14. It increased by Rs. 1720.89 crores as compared to the year 2012-13. This was the maximum annual growth in absolute terms in expenditure on NSAP during the period under consideration from 2002-03 to 2014-15. In percentage terms, the growth was 25.97% during the period. The expenditure on NSAP was Rs. 9314.02 crores during the year 2014-15. It increased by Rs. 966.8 crores as compared to the year 2013-14. In percentage terms, the growth was 11.58% during the period.

Note: NA: Not Available; Original Source: Ministry of Rural Development and also published in statistical year book 2016 by MOSPI.