(a) whether the Government has transferred the flagship health insurance scheme for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, which is a labour oriented scheme under the administration control of the
Ministry of Labour and Employment for unorganized sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons/pleas advanced in this regard; and
(c) the welfare measures taken by the Government for unorganized labour?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a) & (b): Yes, the Government has transferred the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from Ministry of Labour and Employment w.e.f. 01.04.2015 considering the core competence of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the health sector.
Contd…2/-
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(c): The Government has enacted “Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008” for the welfare of unorganised workers. The Act provides for formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover, (ii) health and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection and (iv)any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government through the National Social Security Board.
The Act also enjoins upon State Governments to formulate schemes relating to (a) provident fund; (b) employment injury benefits; (c) housing; (d) educational schemes for children; (e) skill upgradation of workers; (f) funeral assistance; and (g) old age homes.
Central Government has already taken various steps to provide social security cover for the unorganized workers. The schemes listed in Schedule I of the Act are as under:
i. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development)
ii. National Family Benefit Scheme. (Ministry of Rural Development)
iii. JananiSuraksha Yojana. (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
iv. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
v. Handicraft Artisans’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
vi. Pension to Master Craft Persons. (Ministry of Textiles)
vii. National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension. (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries)
viii. Janshree Bima Yojana and AamAdmi Bima Yojana (Department of Financial Services).
ix. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
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