Industry welcomes Cabinet decision on unorganised sector

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Industry chambers today welcomed the Cabinet decision for approving a Bill, to be introduced in the Monsoon session of Parliament, providing social security cover and identity cards for nearly 370 million workers in the unorganised sector above 18 years of age.

''The UPA government had promised it and expressed its happiness saying that finally the scheme has had the Cabinet nod,'' Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot said.

Mr Dhoot said the decision was taken in the right direction which was long awaited.

''The registered unorganised worker will be eligible for life and disability cover, health benefits, old age protection or any other benefit decided by the Centre,'' Information and Broadcating Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said after the Cabinet meeting.

The identity card issued to him, after self-declaration that he is a worker in the unorganised sector, will carry a unique identification number and work as a smart card.

''It will enable a worker registered in Maharashtra to work in Punjab,'' Mr Dasmunsi said.

A National Advisory Board will be constituted to design, from time to time, suitable welfare schemes for different sections of unorganised workers and recommend them to the Centre.

On the recommendation of the Board, the Government will notify the schemes.

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