On: 24 JUL 2023 – As per the Economic Survey, 2021-22, total number of people working in the unorganised sector is around 43.99 crores during 2019-20.
As on 18.07.2023, more than 28.96 crore workers have been registered under the eShram portal out of which around 52.70 lakh workers have been registered on eShram in Haryana.
The Government has taken measures for labour welfare and employment generation across India during Covid-19 pandemic. The Government announced Aatamanirbhar Bharat package to provide stimulus to business and to mitigate the adverse impact of Covid 19. Under this, the Government provided fiscal stimulus of more than Rupees Twenty-Seven Lakh crore.
The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was launched with effect from 1st October, 2020 to incentivize employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid 19 pandemic. The terminal date for registration of beneficiary was 31.03.2022. Since inception of the scheme, till 11.03.2023, benefits have been provided to 60.3 lakhs beneficiaries under the scheme.
In order to facilitate employment of unorganized workers who have gone back to their Home State, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was initiated in 116 districts in Mission Mode for 125 days on 20th June 2020 to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for unorganized workers returning to their home and similarly affected persons in rural areas.
The Government also increased the relief under Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) scheme for Insured persons (IPs) who became unemployed from 25 percent to 50 percent of average per day earning of the employee with effect from 24.03.2020 to 31st December, 2020.
Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme, 5 kg of food grain per person was provided free of cost.
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana was converged with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) with effect from 01-06-2017. However, there was a token allocation of Rs. 10 lakh in the BE for Bima Yojana for 2022-23 and in the last budget there is no allocation of fund.
With the launch of Ayushman Bharat –Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on 23.09.2018, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) got subsumed in it 22 lakhs beneficiary families belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and 11 other defined categories that were enrolled under RSBY, are now covered under AB-PMJAY. The Budget Estimate & fund utilized in respect of Central Sector Scheme for rehabilitation of Bonded Labour for the Financial Year 2023-24, upto (30.06.2023) are Rs 10 crore and Rs. 10.60 lakhs respectively. The Budget Estimate & fund utilized in respect of Plantation workers (for Assam only), are Rs. 60 crore and Rs. 15 crore respectively.
The details of action taken by the Government towards enrolment of pension scheme for unorganised workers namely PM-SYM Yojana is as follows:
- Holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs at Secretary and Joint Secretary & DGLW level
- Regular Meeting with State Common Services Centre (CSC) Heads are also held to promote the enrolment drive for PM-SYM scheme
- Launch of new features: Voluntary EXIT, Involuntary EXIT, Revival Module, Claim Status, and Account Statement
- Extension of revival of dormant accounts from 1 Year to 3 Year
- Two-way integration of PM-SYM and e-Shram
- SMS campaign to create awareness: To create awareness among eShram beneficiaries 7 crore SMS sent to eligible subscribers registered under eShram lying in the age group of 18-40 Years
- Launch of extensive social media campaign
- Celebration of Pension Week from 7th March to 13th March 2022
- Letter to Chief Secretaries of States regarding enrolment under PM-SYM scheme
- Launch of Donate-a-Pension Module by Hon’ble LEM to encourage the employer to pay the premium of their staff under PM-SYM pension scheme and increase the enrolment.
- Meeting with DFS, PFRDA, NIPFP to increase the outreach of pension scheme
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri. Rameshwar Teli in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
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