(a) whether the Ministry is considering to provide insurance cover benefits to the Anganwadi Workers on the lines of the benefits provided to medical professionals and frontline COVID workers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any central assistance is being provided or efforts have been made to provide relief to Anganwadi Workers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
(a) to (d) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers fighting COVID-19 was launched to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs. 50 Lakh to 22.12 lakh to health care providers and the same has also been extended to Anganwadi Workers/Helpers who may have been in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this, subject to fulfillment of the certain conditions.
States/UTs have been asked to ensure provision of safety tools like masks, gloves, soaps and sanitizers etc. for Anganwadi Workers.
AWWs/AWHs are also covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (life cover of ? 2.00 lakh to AWWs/AWHs in the age group of 18 to 50 years); Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (?2.00 lakh to AWWs/AWHs in the age group of 18-59 years in case of accidental death or permanent/full disability and ?1.00 lakh in case of partial but permanent disability); and Anganwadi Karyakarti Bima Yojana (life cover of ?30,000/- to AWWs/AWHs in the age group of 51 to 59 years (closed group as on 01.06.2017).
Government of India has introduced Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) Pension Scheme for the unorganized sectors in the country to ensure old age protection envisaging assured pension of ?3,000/- per month on attaining the age of 60 years. PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government for availing the assured pension of ?3,000/- per month on attaining the age of 60 years.
In this regard, State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested to encourage eligible AWWs/AWHs to get themselves enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan (PM-SYM) Pension Scheme on voluntary basis.
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