Social Security/Health Schemes for Poor by Government in India

Social security schemes are the schemes imposed and controlled by the Government to provide social benefits to the members of a community as a whole or of particular sections of the community. These include health schemes by the Indian government which would help the weaker sections to avail health care benefits in times of need.

• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) (Old Age Protection): Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana is a government scheme meant for individuals such as the old age protection and social security of the people employed in unorganized sector. India has the largest unorganized workforce with around 42 crore people. Unorganized sector workers are mostly engaged as home based workers, street vendors, midday meal workers, rag pickers, domestic workers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers etc.The highlights of this scheme are as follows:-

1. The scheme is for workers employed in the unorganized sector.
2. Entry age is between 18 years to 40 years.
3. Monthly income should be up to ₹15,000/- to be eligible under this program.
4. The scheme is voluntary and contributory under which the beneficiary would receive ₹3000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
5. In case of death of the beneficiary, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension. In case of permanent disability of the beneficiary before attaining the age of 60 years, and is unable to make the regular contributions then the spouse would be entitled to continue with the scheme by making regular contributions or exit the scheme by receiving the share of contribution made.
6. The applicants have to make a monthly contribution ranging from ₹55 to ₹200  till they attain the age of 60. The same amount would be contributed by the Government till the applicant is contributing in the scheme.

• National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-employed Persons (NPS): The scheme is also a government scheme for individuals meant for old age protection and social security of retail traders, shopkeepers and self employed persons whose annual turnover is not exceeding ₹1.5 Crore. These retail shopkeepers/ traders mostly work as shop owners, retail traders, rice mill owners, oil mill owners, owners of small hotels etc.

The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. The applicant should be a retail trader or shopkeeper or self employed person.
2. Entry age should be between 18 and 40 years.
3. Annual turnover should be less than or equal to ₹1.5 Crore.
4. The scheme is voluntary and contributory under which the beneficiary would receive ₹3000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
5. In case of death of the beneficiary, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension. In case of permanent disability of the beneficiary before attaining the age of 60 years, and is unable to make the regular contributions then the spouse would be entitled to continue with the scheme by making regular contributions or exit the scheme by receiving the share of contribution made.
6. The enrollment under this scheme would be carried out by the Common service centers in the country.

• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This is a health scheme by the Indian government which is available for people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account.
2. Life cover of ₹2 lakhs would be available for one year period every year which can be renewed on 31st May.
3. The premium of ₹330 would be debited from the bank account towards the cover each year.
4. In case of death of the insured due to any reason, a sum of ₹2 lakhs would be paid to the nominee of the insured.
5. The scheme is administered through the commercial banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This is a health scheme by the Indian government which is available to people in the age group of 18 years to 70 years with a bank account and provides consent to join or auto debit the account every year. The policy period would be from 1st June to 31st May every year.
2. The risk coverage under this cover is ₹2 lakhs for accidental death and permanent disability whereas ₹1 lakh for temporary disability.
3. The premium of ₹12 is debited from the insured’s account every year through an “auto debit” facility selected by the customer.
4. This scheme is offered by the general insurance companies in association with banks.

• Atal Pension Yojana: The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This scheme was launched to help the poor people working in Unorganized sectors. This scheme provides the beneficiaries with pension after retirement.
2. The scheme is available to any citizen of India in the age group of 18-40 years holding any bank account.
3. The subscribers would receive a monthly pension ranging from ₹1000 to ₹5000 per month after they cross 60 years of age.
4. In case of death of the subscriber the pension would be paid to the spouse.

• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G): The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This scheme was introduced with a view to boost the “Housing for All” scheme.
2. The scheme is meant to provide pucca houses to people living in kutcha houses or to people who don’t own a house or to people whose houses are severely damaged.
3. The cost of the unit will be shared in 60:40 between the Central and State governments.
4. The main aim of this scheme is to provide housing as a part of social security to the poor people.
5. The maximum principal amount sanctioned under this scheme is ₹2 lakhs and also an interest subsidy of 3% is available for the EMIs payable.

• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) -Old age Protection: The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This is a social security and welfare program intended to provide support to aged persons, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on death of primary breadwinner belonging to the below poverty line households.
2. The eligible age for this scheme is 60 years.
3. The pension is ₹200 per month for persons between 60 and 79 years. For persons aged more than 80 years, the pension is ₹500 per month.

• Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. The main aim of this scheme is to provide health cover to the below poverty line and poor people in particular. A total of 10.74 CR poor families from both rural and urban areas would be covered under this scheme.
2.  Under this scheme a defined benefit cover of ₹5 lakhs per family would be available with floater option.
3. The scheme covers over 40% of the population targeted towards the poor and the vulnerable.
4. The coverage includes three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization. Around 1400 procedures with all related costs like OT expenses are taken care of.

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana: The features of this scheme are mentioned below:-

1. This scheme is meant for old age protection and social security of small and marginal farmers. All small and marginal farmers having cultivable land up to 2 hectares falling in the age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible to get benefit under this scheme.
2. Under this scheme farmers receive a monthly pension of ₹3000 after attaining 60 years of age. In case of death of the beneficiary, his spouse would be eligible for 50% pension.
3. The applicants between the age of 18 years to 40 years will have to make a monthly contribution of ₹55 to ₹200 till they attain age of 60 years.
4. The scheme is particularly intended to benefit the small and marginal farmers.

In addition to the above mentioned schemes, there are also health tax benefits schemes for employers in India such as the National Pension scheme in which the employer and employee would contribute towards the pension fund of the employees.