Assam: RTI Activist Questions Old-Age Pension Scheme for Deviating from BPL Guidelines

GUWAHATI: Okram Prasanta Singha, a well-known RTI activist, has expressed severe criticism of Assam's old-age pension scheme as being deviant from established Below Poverty Line (BPL) eligibility criteria. He criticized the state government for avoiding proper legislative scrutiny by the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, violating Constitutional norms and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) guidelines.

In a letter to the Assam governor, Singha challenged the shift from the BPL criterion to an income threshold of ₹2.5 lakh for pension eligibility. He argued that this change goes against Article 38's welfare state principles and NSAP's core directives. Highlighting governance issues, Singha labeled the reliance on delegated legislation in Assam as "perilous to society."

Since 1995, NSAP guidelines have had the provision of providing support to BPL families. However, the Assam Swahid Kushal Konwar Sarbajanin Briddha Pension Achoni scheme now includes all the residents who are above 60 years and have annual incomes below ₹2.5 lakh, which include Above Poverty Line (APL) families.

Singha further pointed out how the state has contributed only ₹50 towards a beneficiary since 2007-08 when the Centre provides ₹200, totaling ₹250. However, populous states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar are chipping in with ₹300, ₹800, and ₹200 respectively. The highest state contribution, ₹2,500, comes from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by ₹2,300 from Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. 

Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General’s 2023 report, Singha urged a review of Assam’s pension scheme to align with NSAP guidelines and ensure equitable welfare for the elderly.

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