National Social Security Bill in monsoon session

Bhubaneswar, May 25: Union Labour and Employment Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu today said the National Social Security Bill to protect the interest of the 43 crore workers in the unorganised sectors will be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament.

Mr Sahu told newsmen here that the Arjun Sengupta committee, constituted by the Union Industry and Labour ministries jointly, has already submitted its report to the Prime Minister a fortnight back.

He said the report was now under study and was hopeful that the National Social Security for the workers in the unorganised sector would be implemented soon.

The Union Minister said almost all the states had expressed their inability to provide fund for the scheme. The Centre, he said, would come out with a five year scheme involving Rs 25,420 crores. During the first year Rs 6750 crores would be utilised for the scheme.

Mr Sahu said under the scheme, the workers in the unorganised sector would be provided with a pension under three categories of Rs 200, Rs 300 and Rs 500 per month after 60 years of age.

The scheme would also provide life insurance cover ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 and health insurance cover to the workers.

UNI