The Hindu : PM launches social security scheme for unorganised sector

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

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PM launches social security scheme for unorganised sector

By J.P. Shukla

LUCKNOW, FEB. 22. The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today launched a social security scheme for workers of the unorganised sector, providing them old age pension, health insurance and personal accidental insurance cover for a monthly contribution of Rs. 50 and Rs. 100, depending on the age of the beneficiary.

Mr. Vajpayee handed over National Social Security numbers to 14 workers at the inaugural function and expressed the commitment of his Government to take care of the social security problems of workers in the sector.

The scheme will be managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and will be initially implemented in 50 districts of the country. Workers in the unorganised sector drawing wages up to Rs. 6,500 a month will be covered under the scheme.

The employees' contribution will be Rs. 50 a month from those in the age group 16-35 and Rs. 100 a month from workers in the age group 36-50. On retirement at the age of 60, the worker will get a pension of Rs. 500 a month and in case of his untimely death the family members will get Rs. 1.25 lakhs plus a pension of Rs. 500 a month.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here this morning on a two-day visit, told a meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party workers that he would contest the next Lok Sabha elections only from Lucknow constituency, even though he had received invitations to contest from several other States. He said he had started his political career from Lucknow and contested elections from here both successfully and unsuccessfully. He had become Prime Minister only because he was an MP from Lucknow, Mr. Vajpayee said while stressing his association with his constituency.

Mr. Vajpayee asked the party workers to go to the masses to highlight the achievements of his Government. They should display unity and work hard to project the achievements of his Government to the masses.

He said Uttar Pradesh accounted for 80 Lok Sabha seats and that showed how vital the State was for the party.

The workers should not be guided by media publicity and should approach the voters in right earnest.

Mr. Vajpayee said he had successfully run a coalition Government with the support of a number of parties. The Congress was also now talking of contesting the elections in alliance with others. But the Opposition parties which wanted to go along with the Congress would have to think of the past. The Congress was known for giving support to other parties and then pulling down governments, he said.

Vajpayee to contest only from Lucknow

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