Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 9
Three major schemes – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana aimed at helping the common men enhance the social security at an affordable cost through a convenient bank based platform was also launched in Nagaland this evening.
Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang and Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Prof. (Dr) Ram Shankar Katheria formally launched the schemes for the State at de Oriental Grand here coinciding with National launching at Kolkata by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest of the function, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said, “These three schemes are intended to substantially benefit the poorer sections of the people”. He said that the first two schemes are insurance schemes, while the third is a pension scheme.
Zeliang expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his tireless efforts in trying to uplift the poor and needy people of the country, ‘who have always been left at the mercy of circumstances because of their poverty.’ In Nagaland context, Zeliang, while emphasizing on the need to create better awareness amongst the people to avail the schemes, said that Naga people like to keep the hard earned money at home instead of keeping in the banks.
“Proper awareness should be created so that people can really reap the benefit of the schemes,” he stated.
Reminding that peace, progress and prosperity are really enjoyed in isolation, he said it is only when “we actively help to promote these values amongst ourselves and to our neighbours that we are also benefitted”. The CM hoped that the schemes will bring an element of security and comfort to the lives of countless millions.
The Chief Minister revealed that under PMJJBY, life insurance worth Rs. 2 lakhs for a premium of just Rs. 330 per annum, will be provided, and will cover all saving bank account holders between the age group of 18-50 years. PMSBY will provide accident insurance worth Rs. 2 lakhs for a premium payment of just Rs. 12 per annum for all saving bank account holders between the age group of 18-70 years, he said.
APY is a pension scheme that focuses on the unorganized sector, and will provide subscribers a fixed minimum pension of Rs. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 per month starting from the age of 60 years, depending on the contributions made while entering the scheme between the age of 18 to 40 years, he said.
Union MoS, Katheria addressing the gathering as guest of honour, said the Prime Minister is working towards the uplift of the poor and downtrodden by reaching such welfare schemes.
He hoped that the schemes would help the common men enhance the social security at an affordable cost through a convenient bank based platform.
He also appreciated Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang for simultaneously launching the national schemes in Nagaland, along with other 60 places of the country.
He said the aims of these schemes are to reach the poorer section of the people, who are living in the remote areas, where there are lack many facilities, including the banking facilities and deprived of many beneficial schemes in the grassroots level.
He appealed to all, including the Governments machineries, banking institutes and the people to join hands with the Central Government to implement it at the grassroots level for the benefit of the people and develop the economic standard to the poorer section of the country.
SBI Kohima Assistant General Manager and SLBC Convener said in Nagaland during the past few days, over 21,600 schemes under PMSBY and 693 under PMJJBY has been opened.
Marking the occasion, insurance/passbooks were also distributed to 10 subscribers by the chief guest and guest of honour.
Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries along with senior bureaucrats of the State attended the launching function.
