CM launches 3 social security schemes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2015 : Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has launched three social security schemes - Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana at a function held at Chandrakirti auditorium, Palace compound today.

Speaking at the occasion, Ibobi said that the primary objective of these schemes is to provide universal social security system to all Indians.

No Indian citizen would worry about illness, accidents or penury in old age with the launch of these schemes, he said.

Today as the scheme would be launched at the National level by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is concurrently launched in all the State capitals, he said.

Accidental deaths are on the rise in India, which is a cause of concern, as the untimely death of a bread earner in lower and middle class families leads to financial crunch, the Chief Minister said.

CM launching of three social security scheme at Chandrakirti auditorium, Palace compound :: Photo - DIPR

Though people with high income can afford accident insurance, it is nearly impossible for poor families to subscribe such insurance with high premium, he said.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a very good scheme, which would provide insurance cover of Rs 2000 lakhs for a mere premium of Rs 12 per year, he said and added that this scheme also provides insurance claim up to Rs one lakh in case of partial permanent disability.

This scheme is renewable by depositing Rs 12 every year, the Chief Minister said and added that savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 70 years are eligible for the scheme and the premium amount would be auto-deducted from the subscriber's bank account on enrolment in the scheme.

On the other hand, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana offers life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh at just Rs 330 per annum, O Ibobi said and added that all the savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 50 years are eligible to enrol.

Under Atal Pension Yojana, the subscriber would receive monthly pension of Rs 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000 as per contribution which varies from Rs 42 to Rs 210 per month, Ibobi said.

Saying that the minimum age to join the APY is 18 years while the maximum is 40 years, the Chief Minister said that the fixed minimum pension amount would be guaranteed by the Government and would be available to the spouse on the death of the subscriber in this scheme.

He urged all Chairmen, CMDs and MDs of different banks to ensure mobilisation of their entire network and branches to take up outreach and awareness building initiatives through all means including distribution of pamphlets etc.

In Manipur, e-payment in Government sector has been introduced since 2011 whereby all Government payments including payment of salaries and all beneficiaries related schemes have been made mandatory through e-payment except for a small number of identified payments, he said.

Although, the Government is seriously pushing for direct cash transfers to beneficiaries through direct cash transfers through their bank accounts, there are still bottlenecks in opening bank accounts, he said and added that all these efforts require an efficient and affordable banking system that can reach out to all.

Innovative strategies of financial delivery especially for the North Eastern States have to be evolved to remedy the special challenges, he said.

There is a need to associate other stake-holders like BSNL in making the roadmap for 'financial inclusion' a workable one as telecom connectivity is an issue that needs to be specially tackled.

He expressed confidence that the schemes launched today would give a new and meaningful direction to insurance and pension sectors.

Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Principal Secretary (Finance) Dr J Suresh Babu and SBI NE Circle DM Shankar Gope were also present at the launching function as dignitaries.