Social protection programs help government to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality. As a result, budgetary allocations of Social Safety Net Programs have grown in absolute terms as well as a share of GDP, from 1.3 percent of GDP in 1998 to 2.53 percent in FY2018-19. SSNPs now account for 13.81% of government’s total spending and reflects the high priority accorded by Government to this aspect of the social development policy. There are at present 140+ SSN programmes being administrated in the country by 23 Ministries and Divisions. Over a five-year period, there has been substantial expansion in the coverage of safety nets and cash transfer programs.