RASHTRIYA SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA
- The Government has launched the National Health insurance Scheme namely, the ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ for BPL families (a unit of five) in unorganised sector on 1st October, 2007.
- The scheme has become operational w.e.f. 1st April, 2008.
- As on 31st July, 2001, 74 crore BPL families have been covered under the scheme in 22 states where the scheme is being implemented.
- The scheme provides for smart card based cashless insurance cover of 30,000/- per annum per family to the beneficiary.
- The premium will be borne by Central and State Governments in the ratio 75:25.
- In case of North Eastern States and Jammu and Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10.
- The cost of smart card will be borne by the Central Government. The beneficiary would pay Rs.30/- per annum as registration/renewal fee.
- The Benefits Under the Scheme include:
- Health Insurance cover would be Rs.30000/- per family per annum.
- Cashless attendance to all covered ailments.
- Hospitalization expenses, including maternity benefit.
- All pre-existing diseases to be covered.
- Transportation costs (actual with maximum limit of Rs.100/- per visit) within an overall limit of Rs.1000/— within the limit of Rs.30,000/-.
INDUSTRIAL TRIPARTITE COMMITTEES
- The Industrial Tripartite Committees have been constituted with the view to promote the spirit of tripartism.
- These tripartite bodies aim at deliberating on the industry-specific problems related to workers in that particular industry.
- These Committees are non-statutory and adhoc and their meetings are convened as and when required.
- At present, there are eight Industrial Tripartite Committees, one each for engineering, electricity generation and distribution, road transport, chemical, sugar industry, cotton textiles, jute industry and plantation.
THE WORKMENS COMPENSATION ACT, 1923
- A beginning was made in social security with the passing of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923. The Act provides for payment of compensation to workmen and their dependents in case of injury and accident (including certain occupational diseases) arising out of and in the course of employment and resulting in disablement or death.
- The Act applies to railway servants and persons employed in factories, mines, plantation, mechanically propelled vehicles, construction works and certain other hazardous occupations.
- Minimum rates of compensation for permanent total disablement and death are fixed at Rs. 1,40,000 and 1,20,000 respectively.
- Maximum amount for death and permanent total disablement can go up to Rs. 14 lakh and Rs. 10.97 lakh respectively depending on age and wages of workmen.
- The Act has now become “The Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923” by “the Workmen’s Compensation (Amendment) Act, 2009” dated 23rd December, 2009.