Social Security Fund for unorganised sector workers

As part of its effort to provide social security cover for unorganised sector workers, the Government has decided to set up a 'National Social Security Fund' with an initial allocation of Rs 1000 crore, besides extending the benefits of RSBY scheme to NREGA beneficiaries.

In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the security fund will support schemes for weavers, toddy tappers, rickshaw pullers, bidi workers and other such workers.

He said the fund has been set up after recognising the need for providing social security to the workers in the unorganised sector and as a follow up to the unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Act, 2008.

He also announced that the benefits of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) will now be extended to all Mahatma Gandhi NREGA beneficiaries who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding financial year.

The scheme provides health insurance cover to BPL workers and their families and so far more than one crore smart cards have been issued under this scheme.