West Bengal Govt introduces Social Security Yojana, converges 5 beneficiary schemes

West Bengal Government has introduced the Social Security Yojana by converging five separate beneficiary schemes for workers in the unorganised sectors and for self-employed people. Around 5 crore people will benefit from the Yojana, with around 1 crore getting direct benefits. People will derive more benefits from this new scheme, as compared to the five earlier schemes.

(I) State Assistance Scheme for Provident Fund for Unorganised Sector,

(II) West Bengal Unorganised Sector Workers’ Health Security Scheme,

(III) Social Security scheme for Construction Workers,

(IV) West Bengal Transport Workers Social Security Scheme and

(V) West Bengal Bidi Workers Welfare Scheme are being converged.

State Finance Minister: Dr Amit Mitra

Dr Mitra said workers from 46 unorganised sectors including bidi workers, book-binding workers, motor mechanics, boatmen and ICDS workers, as well as self-employed people from 15 sectors including the jewellery manufacturing sector, will benefit from this new all-encompassing scheme.

Important Note,

The State Government has started another scheme – State Nutrition Mission. The step has been taken to ensure distribution of nutritious food among pregnant women, lactating mothers, children below six years and adolescent girls.