(a)whether it is a fact that there is no existing policy for agricultural labourers in the country and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(b)whether the Government has ever constituted a committee or a task force to frame a policy for agriculture labourers;
(c)if so, the details thereof;
(d)if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e)the extent to which the existing unorganized workers social security act is addressing this issue?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (e): The Central Government is implementing Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, to provide social security relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection to the unorganised workers including agricultural labourers. Various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government are implementing such social security schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development); National Family Benefit Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development); Janani Suraksha Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) as
Contd..2/-
:: 2 ::
mentioned in the Schedule I of the 2008 Act. In addition to the above welfare schemes, the Central Government recently decided to converge the social security schemes of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to provide life and disability coverage to the unorganised workers for the age group of 18 to 50 years depending upon their eligibility. These converged schemes give coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs on death at premium of Rs. 330/- per annum and coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs on accidental death and disability at premium of Rs. 12 per annum. These converged schemes are being implemented by Life Insurance Corporation of India. The annual premium is shared on 50:50 basis by the Central Government and the State Governments.
The above social security schemes are inclusive of agricultural labourers. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has not constituted any committee/task force to frame a policy for agricultural labourers.
*******