Question : SCHEMES FOR UNORGANISED SECTOR WORKERS

(a)the various schemes being implemented by the Government for the welfare of the workers engaged in building construction, retailers, domestic workers, beedi workers and workers working under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme;

(b)whether the said schemes are not being implemented properly;

(c)if so, the measures being taken by the Government for the proper implementation of the said schemes; and

(d)the amount released during the last three years and the current year and the details of Government and Non- Governmental Organisations through which the said amount was spent?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) on 1st October, 2007 to provide smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30000/- per annum on a family floater basis to BPL families (a unit of five) in the unorganized sector. The scheme became operational from 01.04.2008.

RSBY has since been extended to building and other construction workers {registered under the Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 1996}, street vendors, beedi workers, domestic workers and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) beneficiaries who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding financial year.

More than 3.21 crore smart cards have been issued under RSBY as on 31.07.2012. The premium under RSBY is shared between Central and State Government in the ratio of 75:25 and in case of Jammu and Kashmir and States of North Eastern region, the premium is shared in the ratio of 90:10. However, in the case of building and other construction workers, the 100% premium is paid by the Welfare Boards constituted under Building and other Construction Workers (RECS) Act, 1996. The premium is released to State Nodal Agencies for making onward payment to insurance companies. A Statement showing the State-wise release of centre share of premium for the last three years and current year is at Annexure-I.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also constituted Beedi Workers` Welfare Fund to provide health care, education, recreation and housing for beedi workers in the unorganised sector. A Statement showing funds released under Beedi Workers Welfare Fund to Welfare Commissioners for the last three years and current year is at Annexure -II.