Postal department to focus on insurance schemes

The Department of Posts will look at enrolling more number of workers in the unorganised sectors in the region under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.

Sharda Sampath, Postmaster General, Western Region, told The Hindu here on Thursday that the department would focus on three schemes for the next few months – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (accident cover), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (life insurance), and the Atal Pension Yojana.

For the accident insurance, which provides Rs. 2 lakh cover at an annual premium of Rs. 12, the department is looking at autorickshaw drivers, State transport department drivers and conductors, travel agencies, It is already in discussion with some of them. “We want to target the high risk category,” she said. Postal department staff would also organise melas to enrol people in these schemes.

Coimbatore region has a large number of migrant workers in industries such as construction. They can be covered by the respective organisations under the accident insurance scheme.

In the case of life insurance, for which the sum insured is Rs. 2 lakh and the annual premium is Rs. 330, the department will look at workers in the unorganised sectors. The premium is very low for these schemes and given the department is confident of achieving the target in the region.

“These are schemes that benefit the public. Hence, my focus will be on these,” Ms. Sampath said.