Dr. Parveen Kumar*
Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Although its contribution to the country’s GDP has decreased from about 50% in 1950s to about 18% at present; yet it is the main source of livelihood for about half of the country’s population. It is also the largest source of employment for a vast majority of population residing mostly in rural habitations. Unfortunately despite so mush contribution to the economy. It still is predominantly an unorganized sector that is characterized by the predominance of small-scale, seasonal and largely unregulated activities. Over 99% of agricultural workers are informal, lacking job security, no defined working hours, devoid of any social, legal or monetary protection like provident funds or any sort of pension. It is a highly unpredictable sector where the outcome depends upon the timely rainfall. This is the reason it is also called as gamble of monsoons. The small and marginal farmers thus always at a risk and without any become worse for them Moreover most of the farmers are still dependent on moneylenders for credit rather than formal financial institutions.
Keeping in mind this deplorable condition of the farmers especially small and marginal, the Government of India has came up with two pension schemes for workers working in agricultural as well as other unorganized sectors: The two schemes are as mentioned below:
Prime Minster Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY): The Prime Minister Kisan Mandhan Yojana was launched all across the country on Sep. 12, 2019 as a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for the small and marginal farmers with land holdings up to 1 ha. Any farmer having size of land holding up to 1 ha and within the age bracket of 18-40 years can avail the benefits under this scheme after he attains the age of sixty years.. Under the scheme a farmers whose age is 18 years have to pay a monthly installment of rupees fifty five and as the monthly amount increases with the increase in age of farmer. A farmer having the age of 40 has to pay rupees 200 per month. A farmer at age of 18 has to contribute rupees 55, at age of 19 have to contribute rupees 58, at age of 20 have to contribute rupees 61, at age of 21 have to contribute 64. His contribution becomes rupees 100 when he attains the age of 29 and 150 at the age of 35. Thus the monthly installment under PM-KMY is dependent upon the age of farmer and after paying for 60 years, the farmer becomes eligible for a monthly pension of rupees 3000. The central government contributes equally to the pension fund of subscriber. In case of death of farmer, his spouse becomes eligible for 50% of the pension amount i. e spouse gets rupees 1500 per month provided she should not already be beneficiary under the scheme. There is also an exit policy for the farmers under this scheme. After five years farmer can voluntarily exit from the pension scheme and then he will get his entire outstanding amount along with the interest on the amount deposited. If a farmer does not want pension, the farmer is also free to get his entire amount along with the interest accrued after age of sixty. Farmers can directly register themselves on the portal of this scheme or can visit their nearest Common Service Centers (CSC). They can also contact their nearest agriculture office or banks for any assistance. As on Aug. 06, 2024 a total of 23.38 lakh farmers had joined this pension scheme
Primeminister Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM): Another pension scheme for the workers in the unorganized sector is the PM Shram Yogi Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana. Studies reveal that workers in the unorganized sector comprise over 90% of Indian workforce and theyse are engaged in small scale, unregistered enterprises. They too face high job insecurity, low wages, work in poor unhygienic conditions and without any sort of legal or financial protection. Moreover due to the scattered nature, these workers cannot easily form unions or associations and thus continue to face exploitation at the hands of their employers. Under this scheme workers in the unorganized sector like street vendors, construction workers, small enterprises like handlooms, Power looms, Khadi, Coir, sericulture, Beedi workers, domestic workers, rag/waste pickers are eligible for a monthly pension of rupees 3000 per month. The age limit and the monthly installment is the same as under PM-KMY. The difference is that the monthly income of the workers in the unorganized sector and willing to be avail benefits under this pension scheme should not exceed rupees 15,000.
The government of India has also now come up with new labour codes. These four labour codes consolidate existing 29 laws and aim to simplify regulations and enhance workers welfare covering wages, industrial relations social security, occupational security and health and working conditions. These four labour codes have a universal coverage that also extend benefit to workers engaged in gig economy and contract workers. There is a simplified compliance with a single registration, license and return for business. These labour codes also promote women empowerment by allowing women to work at night with all the safety measures and carry the provision of regular health checkups. Any one fulfilling the eligibility criteria for any of the scheme can directly register on the portal of the schemes https://maandhan.in or can take help of CSC. Hopefully the pension scheme along with new labour codes will bring about a positive change in the life and socio-economic status of the workers engaged in agriculture and other unorganized sectors.
(The author writes on agriculture and social issues; can be reached at pkumar66742gmail.com)
