Senior Citizens Guide 23-07-09.pmd - Helpage India Programme

124. PRIVILEGES & BENEFITS(a) ECONOMIC SECURITY(i) Old Age pension for the general Public :INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (IGNOAPS):Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) was launched byDr. Manmohan Singh on 19 th November, 2007. National Old Age PensionScheme has now been broad based to cover all BPL families. All persons of 65years or above belonging to a household below the poverty line (BPL). The nameof the beneficiary/applicant should be included in the BPL list 2002. In case theperson’s name is not in this list s/he should appeal in the appropriate authority forinclusion. The Central Assistance under IGNOAPS shall be at the rate of Rs. 200per month per beneficiary. States have been urged to give matching amounts.Some states are giving additional amounts. The pension is to be credited, wherepossible, into a post office or public sector bank account of the beneficiary. TheStates/ UTs are required to furnish a certificate that all eligible persons have beencovered under IGNOAPS.Source: The Hindustan Times, 19 th November 2007, New DelhiThe coverage has expanded from 87 lakh to 157 lakh beneficiaries. Rs.3,443crore in 2008-09 budget was allocated as against Rs. 2,392 crore in 2007-08.Source: http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2008-09/bs/speecha.htm• Old Age Pension in different States :State Governments also give pension to destitute and needy older people. Therate of pension per month is as follows: