Question : WELFARE SCHEME FOR COIR WORKERS

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a) The estimated total number of men and women engaged in coir industry, State-wise, (upto 2008-09) is given below: -

State	Men	Women	Total
Andhra Pradesh	9,600	38,400	48,000
Karnataka	5,080	20,320	25,400
Kerala	93,000	3,72,000	4,65,000
Orissa	2,700	10,800	13,500
Tamil Nadu	20,820	83,280	1,04,100
Others	3,780	15,120	18,900
Total	1,34,980	5,39,920	6,74,900

(b) to (d) : The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises is implementing through Coir Board (a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry) ‘Coir Workers Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme’. The Scheme was first introduced in 1998 in coir sector with the objective of securing the life of coir workers against accidents. Nearly four lakh coir workers are covered under the scheme, without having to pay any premium for such coverage. The entire insurance premium is paid by the Coir Board to the Insurance Company. The Scheme does not envisage State-wise allocation of funds. Under the scheme an amount of Rs. 50,000/- is provided as compensation for accidental death/permanent total disability and Rs. 25,000/- is provided as compensation for permanent partial disability. During 2009-10, an amount of Rs. 6, 61,800/- was paid as insurance premium and 16 insurance claims were settled.