(a) whether the Tea Board has sought the Government’s approval for modifying an insurance scheme meant for workers at small tea gardens;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the workers at small tea gardens would be eligible to apply for the accident insurance scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the owners of tea gardens would also be eligible for insurance under the said proposal and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to(d): There is no specific insurance scheme meant for workers at small tea gardens under implementation by the Tea Board. However, under the Small Growers Component of the “Tea Development and Promotion Scheme” being implemented by the Tea Board during the XII Plan Period, there is provision of financial assistance to be provided to labourers/workers of small tea growers (STGs) and their dependents for the group insurance to be shared by the Tea Board and the STGs at the ratio of 75 : 25. The workers employed in small tea gardens in the age group of 18 to 70 years are insured for death / disability for a maximum sum of Rs.2.00 lakhs for a period of one year. The existing eligibility criteria do not include the owners of the small tea gardens and only the workers are eligible.
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