TURA: The Pradhan Mantri Shramyogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), Pension Scheme for the unorganized workers of the country was launched today at DRDA Conference Hall, Tura where Adviser to the Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya and MLA North Tura, Thomas A Sangma graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The programme was simultaneously launched by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi at Ahmedabad in Gujarat today.
It may be mentioned that this pension scheme is a scheme of the Central Government of India which was announced by the Finance Minister of India Piyush Goyal in Budget 2019.
While addressing the gathering, Thomas A Sangma expressed his happiness for launching the pension scheme which would benefit the people especially the unorganized sector and congratulated the Ministry for taking the initiative and for providing such valuable facility for their future life. Since the government employees get pension benefits when they retire, he felt that these people also deserve to get such benefits in their lifetime so that they lead a better life in future. He also urged everyone present to register their names and avail the opportunity provided to them by the government.
In his keynote address, Assistant P F Commissioner, Regional Office, Shillong, G C Chakraborty informed that this pension scheme started from 15th February 2019 which offers a regular pension after they attain the age of 60 years for those individuals associated with the unorganized sector and whose monthly income is less than 15000. He also mentioned that the age of entry for this pension scheme is 18 to 40 years and they have to contribute Rs. 55 to 200 monthly which gradually increase with the age of a person and the beneficiary will receive the pension amount of Rs 3000 per month. The government will also deposit equal matching share in the pension account of the worker every month.
Further, he informed that a person needs to register themselves at any Common Service Centres (CSC), Deputy Commissioner’s Office and Labour Office by producing saving account bank passbook, aadhar card and mobile number.
The Chief Guest along with other dignitaries also distributed the PM-SYM Cards to the beneficiaries during the function. There was also a Viewing of the DD Live relay of Launching of PM-SYM at Gujarat during the function.
Meanwhile, the same scheme was also launched in North Garo Hills district on the same for the unorganised workers at SGSY Hall , Resubelpara on Tuesday.
The unorganised workers are those who are home based workers, street vendors, domestic workers, landless labourers etc, whose monthly income is Rs 15000 or below and are between 18 to 40 years. They are eligible for the scheme provided they are not income tax payer or subscribers of New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Under the scheme, a subscriber after attaining the age of 60 years shall receive a minimum assured pension of Rs 3000 per month.
During the programme, around 200 participants enrolled themselves for the scheme.