Assessing Social Protection Provisions in Indian States using Social Protection Floor Approach

Aims & Objectives: The main objectives of the study was to prepare an inventory of social protection measures adopted by the Centre and States; examine social security schemes of different states covering five basic social security guarantees (four are as detailed in Social Protection Floor Recommendation 2012 and one relates to housing for the poor); inspect whether social security extension plans are being considered; identify the best practices of the existing schemes in different states and make recommendations for universalization of the schemes.

Methodology: Secondary data and information (on legal and regulatory framework of the schemes, year of initiation, objectives, target groups, coverage, number of beneficiaries and revenue expenditure) were obtained from budget documents, annual reports and websites of various departments and agencies of the States.

Findings & Recommendation: Findings are as follows

• Key challenge faced by the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) programme is the poor enrolment ratio in some states that can be augmented by improving the quality of the BPL (Below Poverty Line) or other lists used promoting greater state-level ownership;
• Sikkim followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are the top performing states and Arunachal Pradesh followed by Bihar and Manipur are the poor performing states according to the performance indicators of three important Central Government schemes (viz. MGNREGA, SGSY, and SJSRY) relating to employment generation;
• Inability to use social security pensions remain one of the biggest hurdles for the elderly who though aware of the schemes are not able to access them. There is wide variation in the States and the amount of  pension should be increased and
• Housing shortage in urban areas is about one-fourth of the total households in urban areas in 2012. It is highest in Nagaland followed by Bihar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.