Union Minister for Law and Justice D.V. Sadananda Gowda has said the three social security schemes of the Central government being launched on Saturday demonstrates that the government is for the poor and not pro-corporate as being propagated by many. He was speaking at the nation-wide launch of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, the Atal Pension Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana here.
The programme in Mangaluru was organised by all the nationalised banks present in the district and insurance companies under the stewardship of Corporation Bank.
Mr. Gowda said that after getting savings accounts opened, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to extend social security to all in the country. Thus the two insurance and one pension schemes were conceived. He recalled that many had criticised the government when the Jan Dhan Yojana was launched on August 15. However, they have been silenced due to the overwhelming success of the scheme.
He said the schemes have to reach each and every individual in the country; hence the government has organised the programme simultaneously at 115 places, including Kolkata where Mr. Modi would be launching the schemes in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mr. Gowda said banks, which hitherto had been deemed only for the rich, would have to open their doors to the poor too. The government is keen on the economic empowerment of people and transparency in public life, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha member Nalin Kumar Kateel launched a veiled attack on various beneficiary schemes of the State government. He said that the Narendra Modi government is not interested in feeding the poor but is keen on their economic empowerment. The government believes in Swami Vivekananda’s words and is working towards economic empowerment of the poor, he said.
MLC Ganesh Karnik, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, Zilla Panchayat CEO P.I. Sreevidya and senior officials from various banks were present. District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai was conspicuous by his absence.
PMSBY: A renewable one-year accidental death-cum-disability cover of Rs. 2 lakh to all savings bank holders in the age-group of 18-70 years for an annual premium of Rs. 12.
PMJJB: A renewable one year life cover of Rs. 2 lakh to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18-50 years covering death due to any reason for an annual premium of Rs. 330. If death happens due to accident including natural calamity for a person subscribing to both the schemes, the kin would get Rs. 4 lakh.
APY: Minimum pension of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 2,000, Rs. 3,000, Rs. 4,000 or Rs. 5,000 per month starting at the age of 60, depending upon the contribution by the subscriber at the age between 18-40 years. The government would guarantee the minimum pension.
