As the possibility of early general elections looms large, the UPA government seems to be keen on pushing through its pro-poor schemes so that it could benefit at the hustings.
An indication of that came when the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to modify the eligibility criteria under National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) to bring under its ambit all people aged 65 years or more belonging to below poverty line (BPL) households, expanding its present scope of covering only those who are destitute in this age group.
The fact that it took less than a month since Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made the announcement about this modification in the scheme in his Independence Day speech is being seen as a move by the government to placate a strong vote bank belonging to the poorest of the poor communities.
Information & Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi, who briefed the media after the meeting, said the modification, that would be implemented from this fiscal itself, would cost the government more than Rs 4,300 crore and would benefit 157.19 lakh people.
“The decision for making modification will extend much needed financial support to the needy old persons who belong to households below the poverty line,” he said, adding the scheme would be formally launched on November 19, the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birthday.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): In another decision that could lead to Centre-state friction, the Cabinet decided to gradually modify the funding pattern between the Centre and states and Union Territories for SSA in such a way that the funding ratio finally becomes 50:50 by 2011-12 as against the current 65:35 of which 65 per cent comes from the Central kitty.
Mr Dasmunsi said the Centre-state ratio would change to 60:40 in 2009-10, 55:45 in 2010-11 and 50:50 from 2011-12.
The funding pattern for the eight North-Eastern states would, however, be modified to 90:10, 90 per cent coming from the Centre.
The minister dais the decision would assist states in implementation of national flagship programme for universalisation of elementary education.
Meanwhile, the pending Immoral Trafficking Act has been referred to a group of ministers, while the proposed amendments in the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 were deferred as the Cabinet felt that some issues relating to it needed finer examination.
"There are some technical issues which have to be examined and the amendments will be brought to the Cabinet again," he said.
NGOs and organisations of sex workers have criticised the amendments in the Immoral Trafficking Bill that would bring the client under the purview of the law.
On the other hand, the proposed amendments to the Sati act would treat the woman as a victim rather than as an offender who had tried to commit suicide, would hold the entire community accountable for the incident, and prescribe more stringent punishment for its glorification.
