Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 256/19

COMMUNITY MOBILISATION DRIVE IN EAST AND WEST JAINTIA HILLS DISTRICT

Following the ban on coal mining in the State of Meghalaya and as directed by the NGT Committee, the Labour Department through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) with the support of Aide et Action (NGO) conducted a two week long Community Mobilisation Drive in May 2019 to sensitize the general public, particularly those affected by the coal mining ban, and to offer them various short-term skill training programmes. This initiative was organised with an aim to make people aware about the objectives and benefits under the programme. It seeks to address the challenges faced by the community by providing them with an opportunity to enrol themselves into various government sponsored skill training programmes as an alternate livelihood option that can ensure sustainability. During the two-week long Community Mobilisation Drive, efforts were made to reach out to the people in various areas and corners of the two districts through home visits, awareness programmes, poster campaigns and mobile announcements with the support of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations. There were a considerable number of people who participated in these awareness programmes and the total reach-out is 1191 covering over 1606 number of households and around 147 candidates registered themselves for various skill training programme that includes Integrated Farming, Service Sector Trades like Hospitality, Security Guard, General Duty, Assistant, Fashion Designing, Integrated Farming, Pottery and other Native Crafts and many more. The participants were encouraged to take advantage of the various skill training programmes offered by the government and also to contact the nearest DC office every Tuesday from 10 AM to 4 PM for more details and enrolment.

Press Release No. 261/19

PENSION SCHEME UNDER PM-SYM

The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) is a voluntary and contributory Pension Scheme for Unorganised Workers for entry age of 18 to 40 years with monthly income of Rs. 15000/- or less. Any unorganised worker in the age group of 18-40 years whose job is casual in nature, such as home based workers, street vendors, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer-men, rickshaw pullers, rural landless labourers, own account workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, etc with monthly income less than Rs. 15000/- can avail this scheme. The worker should not be covered under any statutory social security schemes such as National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Scheme (ESIC), and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation Scheme (EPFO) and should not be an income tax payee.

If any unorganised worker subscribes the scheme and has paid regular contribution up to the age of 60 years, he will get a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000/-. After his/her death, the spouse will receive a monthly family pension which is 50 percent of the pension. Any registered beneficiary of the Meghalaya Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) can also opt for this scheme and can register in the Common Service Centres nearest to their location, whereby the beneficiary’s contribution will be borne by the Board. Once the beneficiary joins the scheme at the entry age between 18-40 years, he has to contribute till he attains the age of 60 years.

Under the Scheme, minimum pension of Rs. 3000/- per month shall be paid. The pension will start on attaining the age of 60 years of the subscriber. After joining the Scheme, the subscriber has to pay the prescribed monthly contribution till the age of 60 years. The monthly pension will get deposited in the subscriber’s linked Bank Account, after the subscriber attains the age of 60 years. Under the scheme, the subscriber may visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and get enrolled for PM-SYM using Aadhaar number and Savings Bank Account/Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis along with consent form for auto-debit facility. All the branch offices of LIC, offices of EPFO/ESIC will also facilitate the subscribers about the scheme, its benefits and the procedure to be followed for enrolment. They will also advise them on locating the nearest CSC. No separate proof of age or the income has to be given. Self Certification and providing of the Aadhaar number will be the basis for enrolment. However, any false declaration may attract appropriate penalty.

For getting grievances result, one may call toll free number or may visit CSC or Labour Welfare Office for any complaint/grievance relating to PM-SYM. There is a designated call centre for this and the toll free number is 1800 2676 888. Any unorganised worker can register in the Common Service Centres nearest to their location. Further details can be obtained from the Common Service Centres/District Labour Offices.