Social sector Bill in next LS session

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| The draft bill, which is currently with a group of ministers, will be finalised over the next one month. |
| "We will start the scheme on a pilot-basis in 200 districts and then extend it to other districts across the country," added Sahu. |
| The proposed bill will cover only agricultural and construction workers, as these comprise the bulk of the unorganised sector. |
| "The proposed bill may be linked to the National Employment Rural Guarantee bill," said Sahu.The latter aims to provide employment in rural areas for 100 days. |
| The proposed bill seeks to provide a social security system for 38 crore workers, also include self-employed, casual, contract and home-based workers under its purview. |
| The proposed legislation offers health insurance, maternity benefits, old-age benefits, an integrated insurance scheme and schemes for conservation of natural resources on which workers depend. |
| The proposed bill will also allow the government to levy a cess or a tax, or create a mechanism for collecting contributions from individual employers. |
First Published: Mar 09 2006 | 12:00 AM IST