'Social security for unorganised sector need of hour'

Hyderabad, July 8 (UNI) Chairman of the National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised sector Arjun K Sengupta has sought cooperation from all sections for the launch of the ambitious social security scheme for the unorganised sector.

The more than Rs 55,408 crore scheme was very much feasible, he said yesterday while inaugurating a National Convention jointly organised by the Commission, International Labour Organisation and The Centre for Economic and Social Studies here.

If all the 30 crore workers were covered, the available contributions would work out to Rs 32,850 crore, he said. The share of the Centre would be Rs 17,548 crore and that of states Rs 5,010 crore and this was equal to 0.8 per cent of the GDP, he added.

Once the legal provision was through, the Rights-based scheme would get precedence over the Government's other expenditure, he said, adding that ''let us not wait for a foolproof scheme. It has never happened anywhere in the world. Let us initiate the scheme and learn over the process to improve it.'' The Centre's role would only be supportive and the Social Security Boards in the states would have to implement it, ensuring full participation by the beneficiaries, Mr Sengupta said.

Highlighting the significant features of the scheme covering workers in the unorganised sector with a monthly income of Rs 5000 and below, as also self-employed workers, including marginal and small farmers, he said there was no role for intermediaries, as ''it is totally a cashless system''.

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