Dimapur, March 5 (EMN): Notwithstanding the main inauguration of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Pension Scheme for unorganized workers, districts across the state nonetheless also announced the scheme with various programmes.
Dimapur
The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan for Dimapur district was inaugurated on March 5 at the deputy commissioner's conference hall in Dimapur with Kevekha Zehol, deputy commissioner of Dimapur, as the “special guest” of the event.
The assistant labour commissioner of the district, W Temwang Konyak gave a brief account of the PMSYM. He said that the PMSYM was central scheme open to unorganized workers whose monthly income is INR 15000, or under.
The minimum age for an eligible person joining the scheme is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years. It is a voluntary, contribution-based scheme under which the subscriber will be paid an assured minimum monthly pension of INR 3000 “from the age 60 years onwards,” the DIPR’s updates stated.
The contribution is to the extent of 50% by the subscriber and 50% by the government of India. The scheme is being administered by the ministry of Labour & Employment and implemented through common service centres (CSC) and the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
The category of unorganized workers include agricultural workers, construction workers, street vendors, mid- day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, rickshaw pullers, landless labourers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio- visual workers and similar other occupation whose monthly income is Rs 15000 or less and belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years of age.
Eligibility
- Should be an unorganized workers
- Entry age between 18 to 40 years
- Monthly income INR 15000 or below
- Should not be engaged in organized sector or with membership of EPF/ NPS/ ESIC and should not be an income tax payer.
- The candidate should possess Aadhaar card and a saving bank account / Jan Dhan account number with IFSC.
Interested eligible persons can visit the nearest CSC centre. The location of the CSC can be ascertained from the information page on web sites of the LIC of India, ministry of Labour and Employment, and the CSC itself.
In his address to the event, Deputy Commissioner Kevekha Kevin Zehol said that the government of India had come up with a “brilliant idea to help the unorganized workers to give pension after their active life is over.”
The officer appealed to citizens who is eligible, to avail the opportunity. He requested the labour officers to play proactive roles ‘not like just doing a government job but to take it as a missionary role and facilitate everyone who is eligible,’ the DIPR stated in its updates.
Kohima
In Kohima, a programme was conducted on March 5 at the LCS building in Kohima. According to updates from the DIPR on Tuesday, the central government will establish a pension fund under the scheme to be administered by the government in consultation, whenever required, with the national board.
The eligible subscriber, who joins the scheme, shall subscribe to the pension fund as determined by the central government from time to time of such joining in accordance with the age of the subscriber. The central government shall also contribute to the pension fund the equal amount as contributed by an eligible subscriber.
The provisions of the scheme shall apply to the unorganised workers who are working or engaged as home based workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, rickshaw pullers, landless labourers, agricultural workers, construction workers, ‘beedi’ workers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio-visual workers and similar other occupations.
The deputy commissioner of Kohima, Anoop Khinchi also gave a short speech during the event. He spoke about the benefits of the scheme. He urged all who are eligible to apply and avail the benefits of the scheme. He distributed Shram Yogi cards to the new applicants, the DIPR stated.
The programme was followed by a live screening of the launch at Ahmedabad by the prime minister of India.
Wokha organised a similar programme marking the pension scheme. A programme was conducited marking the launch of the scheme, in the DC’s conference hall in Wokha.
Deputy Commissioner of the district, Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon addressed beneficiaries of the scheme. He said that the new scheme was introduced by the government of India for workers in the unorganized sectors; for people who have no formal terms of employment, or have no social security benefits.
The officer said that the government wants to give benefits to unorganized workers through this scheme. He encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the scheme and get enrolled in the programme.
Another official, Lanuyanger also addressed the programme, the DIPR informed. He gave a brief introduction to the pension scheme. He said that the scheme was meant for ‘old age protection’ and social security for unorganized workers.
These workers are mostly engaged as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, home based workers, agriculture workers, construction workers, audio-visual workers or in similar other occupations, the DIPR stated.
“There are estimated 42 crore such unorganized workers in the country and through this scheme the government targets to cover 10 crore in the next five years. Under this scheme 18 to 40 years (olds) are eligible for enrolment to avail the benefits. Enrolment will be carried out by all common services centres (CSC),” the updates stated.
The deputy commissioner distributed cards to beneficiaries. An on-spot enrolment was also undertaken later in the day, the updates stated.
The scheme was inaugurated for Peren too. The scheme was launched at the Jalukie town hall in Jalukie by extr assistant commissioner of Jalukie, C Wangan.
In his address, Wangan appealed to the public to avail the facility ‘which is at their doorsteps.’ He distributed PM-SYM pension cards to beneficiaries of the district.
The keynote address was delivered by CSC district manager, Kanzang. It was followed by interaction concerning the new scheme. He informed the public that the scheme was meant for ‘old age protection and social security of unorganized workers.’
In Kiphire district a ceremony marking the event was conducted. The subdivision officer for Sardar, Longdiba L Sangtam said that the PM-SYM was an important scheme especially for the unorganized workers.
Sangtam said Kiphire district was also ‘fortunate to hold this programme’ and requested the beneficiary to get registered with the scheme the DIPR stated. He appealed to the Labour department to facilitate and guide the beneficiaries about the features of the scheme and direct them to the nearest CSC.
In Mon, the district’s Deputy Commissioner Thavaseelan K, was the “special guest” for the inauguration.
The PM-SYM is a voluntary and periodic contribution based pension system meant for unorganized workers. He mentioned that any worker in the unorganized sector aged between 18-40 years can join the scheme. He assured maximum coverage of this scheme for beneficiaries in the district. Later in the programme, he distributed PM-SYM pension cards to the beneficiaries.
