Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

16-March-2012 13:45 IST

Lumpsum Grant Under National Family Benefit Scheme Doubled

In order to strengthen the social security and fulfill the needs of weaker sections, the Union Finance Minister ShriPranab Mukherjee announced a hike of 37 percent in the allocation for National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) from Rs. 6,158 crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 8447 crore in 2012-13. In the Union Budget 2012-13 Shri Mukherjee announced the hike of monthly pension for BPL beneficiaries under Indira Gandhi Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee also proposed to double the lumpsum grant given on the death of the primary bread winner of a BPL family in the age group 18 to 64 years from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 under the National Family Benefit Scheme.

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DSM/VK/AKA/61

National Family Benefit Scheme lumpsum grant increased, enhancing death benefit protection for primary breadwinners in BPL families. Monthly pensions for BPL beneficiaries under the Widow Pension Scheme and the National Disability Pension Scheme were raised, and the one-time death benefit under the National Family Benefit Scheme for death of a primary breadwinner aged 18-64 years was doubled, increasing the lumpsum payment available to eligible BPL families; these changes are funded through an increased allocation to the National Social Assistance Programme to strengthen social security for weaker sections.