Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Mar. 09: The National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) which was implemented some year back for those persons above 65 years of age has been of great help for the ficiaries.
However, there were also anomalies in the process of implementation of this Centrally sponsored scheme implemented through Community and Rural Development Block where ‘political bosses’ of certain political parties who are at the helm of power attempt to misuse it for political gain by selecting beneficiaries based upon party line and election-support.
According to information received from the public, those beneficiaries were selected who are not qualified or have not attained the age of the prescribed limit. Many were found to be below the prescribed age but are enjoying the benefits because of political intervention.
Recently, the Union Government decided to evaluate the process of implementation of the scheme to rectify anomalies. The evaluation will be handed over to private parties to conduct a survey and submit the findings for the same has to be submitted to the government.
For 2009-10, the Central Government spent Rs. 5, 200 crore for the scheme.

East Khasi Hills district has the highest number of beneficiaries having a total of 10,226, followed by West Khasi Hills – 7,652 and West Garo Hills with 7,622. Ri-Bhoi has 6,228 beneficiaries, Jaintia Hills – 5,351, East Garo Hills – 4,820 and South Garo Hills with 3,149 beneficiaries.
Each beneficiary will get Rs. 250 per month where Rs 200 is Central share while Rs. 50 is the state share.
As per the guidelines, the payment should be made before 7th of every month and the money should be transferred to the beneficiaries’ account.