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17. The learned Additional Solicitor General drew our attention to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which was introduced on Independence Day, 1995 as a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme. In the introduction to the Programme document, it is noted that the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution enjoin upon the State to undertake within its means a number of welfare measures, targeting the poor and the destitute in particular. Article 41 of the Constitution directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in the case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement as well W.P(Civil) No.193 of 2016 Page 8  as in other cases of undeserved want, within the limit of the State’s economic capacity and development. Among the initial three components of the Programme are the National Old Age Pension Scheme which subsequently came to be known as the Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme, referred to above. It was submitted that the Scheme is being implemented by the Government of India but active support is required from the State Governments and the Union Territory Administrations.

49. In this context, we may note that the learned Additional Solicitor General submitted that an evaluation study is contemplated on all aspects of the National Social Assistance Programme for use of best practices and to bring about uniformity in the implementation of the Scheme in all States. In addition, a social audit for the NSAP schemes is also contemplated and guidelines have been issued for a social audit as recently as on 30th November, 2018 for the launch of a social audit pilot in 21 States and Union Territory Administrations.