The Government is mandated to provide social security to the workers of unorganised sector including agricultural labourers as per the eligibility criteria by formulating suitable welfare schemes on matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection etc.
Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Surksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). As on 31.10.2021, the cumulative registration under PMJJBY and PMSBY are 11.67crore and 26.85 crore respectively.
The health and maternity benefits are provided through Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) which is a universal health scheme. Under this Scheme, a total of 17.81 Crore individuals including agricultural labourers have been verified and provided with Ayushman cards till 14th March, 2022. As on 11th March, 2022, a total of Rs. 9988.40 crore central share of funds have been released to States/UTs for implementation of AB-PMJAY scheme.
In order to provide old age protection to the unorganised sector workers including agricultural labourers, the Government of India launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) in 2019. It provides a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years. As on 09.03.2022, more than 46 lakh workers have been registered under PM-SYM.
Apart from above, other schemes such as Public Distribution System through One Nation One Ration Card scheme under National Food Security Act, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Gareeb Kalyan Rojgar Yojana, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, PMSVANidhi, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana etc. are also available for the unorganised workers including rural and agricultural labourers depending upon their eligibility criteria.
Further, the Ministry of Labour & Employment is maintaining e-SHRAM portal with an objective to create National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) to facilitate delivery of Social Security Schemes/Welfare Schemes of the Central/State Governments to the workers of informal/unorganised sector. As on 13.03.2022, more than 26 crore workers have been registered under the e-SHRAM portal out of which 13.78 crores are agricultural labourers as per self declaration.
This information was given by Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State, Ministry of Labour & Employment in Rajya Sabha today.
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