A State Level Workshop was organized at NIC, Orissa during 14th to 17th July 2009 at the Training Hall of NIC Orissa State Centre, Bhubaneswar, on operationalisation of NSAP-MIS.

Shri S. K. Panda, SIO & Sr. Technical Director, welcoming Chief Guest, District Social Welfare Officers, District Informatics Officers & officials from Govt. of Orissa, mentioned that this NSAP-MIS initiative of NIC covers the four major components including Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).

Inaugurating the workshop, Shri G. V. Venugopala Sarma, I.A.S, Commissioner - cum-Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Government of Orissa, highlighted that, Article 41 of the constitution of India, directs the government to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment ,old age ,sickness and disabled etc. National Policy for Social Assistance called National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is dedicated for such poor citizen. Proper monitoring of such a major project would only be possible through application of Information & Communication Technology. Appreciating the initiatives taken by NIC, he wished that all stakeholders including Block, District & State level, would extend the necessary cooperation to make it a success. He also wished that NIC may extend the facility to incorporate Madhubabu Pension Yojana under the same umbrella.

NIC Orissa Project Coordinator Dr. Jagannath Mishra, Technical Director & Shri G. C. Pati, Scientist-D coordinated the workshop.

Sri Narendra Bahadur Singh and Sri Sunil Gupta from NICSI conducted the presentation sessions followed by Handholding trainings.

District Welfare Offices along with their nominated officials, District Informatics Officers from 30 districts participated in this workshop –cum- training programme in two batches.
Total process of populating database of beneficiaries, facilitations for disbursement of pension, features for crediting the amount of pension payable to each beneficiary directly into his account either in a Post Office or in a scheduled commercial bank etc. were demonstrated thoroughly.

Participants assured to extend all cooperation & expressed their confidence that this MIS would help in achieving transparency, ensure accountability and improve monitoring of implementation of the Programme.

-Dr. Jagannath Mishra
TD & WCD Project Coordinator, NIC, Orissa