Question : AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS

(a)whether a number of welfare schemes have been formulated and implemented for the unorganised workers particularly for rural and agricultural labourers;

(b)if so, the details thereof along with the monitoring mechanism of the schemes particularly in case of accidents;

(c)the details of funds allocated and utilised under the schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT- wise and scheme-wise;

(d)the number of agricultural labourers benefited by these schemes during the said period, State/ UT-wise; and

(e)the other steps taken by the Government exclusively for the welfare of agricultural labourers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 218 FOR 08.12.2014 BY SHRIASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE AND M.B. RAJESH REGARDING AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.

(a) to (c): With a view to provide to social security measures all unorganized workers including agricultural labourers, the Government has enacted the “Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008”. As per the Act National Social Security Board was constituted at the central level to recommend social security schemes viz. life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers. Government has already taken various steps to provide social security for the unorganized workers. The following schemes are listed under Scheduled-I :

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, (Ministry of Rural Development).
2. National Family Benefit Scheme, (Ministry of Rural Development).
3. JananiSurakshaYojana, (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).
4. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, (Ministry of Textiles).
5. Handicraft Artisans’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, (Ministry of Textiles).
6. Pension to Master Craft Persons, (Ministry of Textiles).
7. National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension, (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries).
8. JanshreeBimaYojana and AamAdmiBima Yojana, (Department of Financial Services).
9. RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana, (Ministry of Labour and Employment).

(d): Unorganised workers include agricultural labourers who are provided benefits as per the eligibility of the schemes in annexure I. Separate data is not available for agricultural workers.

(e): The Ministry of Rural Development, inter alia, is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), PradhanMantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Indira AwaasYojana (IAY), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) and five schemes viz Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Schemes (IGNOAPS),Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and Annapurna are under the National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) in rural areas of the country, through State Governments and UT Administrations. The objective of these programmes is to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the rural people including agricultural labourer through employment generation, development of rural infrastructure, provision of other basic amenities and measures for social security.