Social Security Week celebrations of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), celebrated every year to coincide with birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, began here on Thursday.
Organised to popularise the social security schemes of the LIC, the celebrations focused on Janashree Bima Yojana, a group life insurance policy for the weaker sections.
Addressing the celebrations, N. Mathivanan, District Collector, said that this scheme would immensely benefit the poor and downtrodden sections. Keeping in mind the target sections, the annual premium has been fixed at Rs. 200, of which half would be paid by LIC. He said that groups consisting not less than 25 members can enrol themselves in the scheme.
Speaking about the State Government's Kalaignar Kappittu Thittam, he said that surgeries had been performed for more 50 persons under this scheme in Madurai district. Through the 14 welfare boards for unorganised labour forces, 2.4 lakh persons had been enrolled along with another 2.1 lakh farmers and farm labourers in Madurai district, said Mr. Mathivanan.
The Collector also gave away Rs. 7,99,200 as scholarships to 1,333 students and handed over Rs. 4,50,000 as claim payments to 15 beneficiaries under Janashree Bima Yojana.
J. Chakrapani, Senior Divisional Manager of Madurai Division, LIC, said that under this scheme, Rs. 30,000 would be paid in case of natural death, Rs. 75,000 in case of death or permanent disability caused by accident, and Rs. 37,500 in case of partial disability caused by accidents.
Further, children of members enrolled and studying between standard IX and XII will get Rs. 1,200 as scholarships, he said.
Kousalya Devi, managing trustee, Gandhigram Trust, lauded the social service rendered by LIC. She urged those present to encourage their girl children to study rather than marry them off early.
M.K. Karuppaiah, Marketing Manager, said that only 15 per cent of the total population in India were covered under some insurance scheme.
Chinna Pillai, leader of the Madurai-based Kalanjiyam Iyakkam, urged the self-help group members to benefit themselves from this insurance scheme and also to rope in others.
A.S. Sunder Raj, Senior Branch Manager, spoke.
