It has been
the endeavor of the Government to provide social security to the beedi workers
during the past few decades. This is
undertaken through various welfare schemes in the fields of health, education,
housing, recreation, social security and vocational training. All welfare schemes are equally applicable to the beedi workers of all
States.
WELFARE SCHEMES FORMULATED UNDER THE BEEDI WORKERS
WELFARE FUND
(A) HEALTH &
MEDICAL CARE
Health care is provided to the beedi workers and their dependents through 7
hospitals and 204 dispensaries all over the country. Seven hospitals are:-
65 bedded hospital at Dhuliyan, (West Bengal),
50 bedded T.B. hospital
at Kodarma (Bihar),
50 bedded hospital at
Mysore (Karnataka).
30 bedded hospital at Sagar (M.P.)
10 bedded hospital at Gursahaiganj (U.P.),
30 bedded hospital at Mukkadal (Tamilnadu).
30 bedded hospital at
Bihar Sharif (Bihar)
A 15 bedded hospital at
Jhalda (W.B.) is under construction.
The following schemes relating to health and medical care of beedi workers
and their dependents are also being administered by the Labour Welfare
Organization:-
|
PURPOSE
|
NATURE OF ASSISTANCE
|
|
Ophthalmic Problems
|
Financial assistance of Rs.300/- for purchase
of spectacles for beedi workers.
|
|
Tuberculosis
|
Reservation of beds in T. B. Hospitals and
domiciliary treatment for beedi workers.
Subsistence allowance between Rs.750/- to Rs.1000/- p.m. is paid to
beedi workers.
|
|
Heart Diseases
|
Reimbursement of expenditure up to Rs.1,30,000/- to beedi workers.
|
|
Kidney Transplantation
|
Reimbursement of expenditure up to Rs.2,00,000/- to beedi workers.
|
|
Cancer
|
Reimbursement of actual expenditure on
treatment, medicines, and diet charges incurred by Beedi workers, or their
dependants.
|
|
Minor surgery like Hernia, Appendectomy ulcer, Gynaecological diseases and prostrate
diseases
|
Reimbursement of expenditure upto Rs.30,000/- to beedi workers and their dependants.
|
|
Mental Diseases
|
Financial assistance for treatment of mental
diseases, diet, railway fare and subsistence allowance to beedi workers.
|
|
Leprosy
|
Financial assistance for Rs.30/- per patient
per day for indoor treatment and Rs.6/- per patient per day for outdoor
treatment to beedi workers.
Subsistence allowance of Rs.300/- per month with dependants and
Rs.200/- per month without dependants for beedi workers.
|
|
Maternity Benefits
|
Grant of Rs.1000/- per delivery to a female beedi
worker (for first two deliveries).
|
|
Family Welfare
|
Monetary incentive @ Rs.500/- per head to the
beedi workers for undergoing sterilization.
|
(B) EDUCATION: Scholarships are
provided to children of beedi workers as follows:-
|
Group
|
Class
|
Rates
|
|
|
Girls
|
Boys
|
|
Group I
|
Class I to IV
|
250
|
250
|
|
Group II
|
Class V to VIII
|
940
|
500
|
|
Group III
|
Class IX
|
1140
|
700
|
|
Group IV
|
Class X
|
1840
|
1400
|
|
Group V
|
Class XI to XII
|
2440
|
2000
|
|
Group VI
|
Non-professional degree courses, non-professional post graduate courses,
2/3years’ Diploma courses, BCA, BBA & PGDCA.
|
3000
|
3000
|
|
GROUP VII
|
Professional degree courses {BE/B.Tech/MBBS/BAMS/BUMS/B.Sc.(Agri.) and MCA/MBA}.
|
8000
|
8000
|
(C) HOUSING
A “Revised Integrated
Housing Scheme 2007” has been introduced w.e.f. 1st
April, 2007, wherein a uniform central subsidy of Rs.40,000/-
is provided to a beedi worker for construction of his own house. The worker’s contribution of Rs.5,000/- would be deposited only after the administrative
approval granted by this Ministry. The workers contribution of Rs. 5000/- shall
also be returned back to him at the time of the release of second installment.
(D) SOCIAL SECURITY
Group
Insurance Scheme for Beedi workers:
All identified and eligible beedi workers are
covered by the GIS implemented by LIC.
Under this scheme, Rs.10,000/-
is provided for natural death and Rs. 25,000/- for death due to accident. The beedi worker is not required to pay any
premium under this scheme.
(E) RECREATION
Reimbursement of Rs.10,000/-
per colour T.V. set and Rs.4,000/- per Black & White T.V. Set is provided to Beedi
Workers Co-operative Societies.
Financial assistance of Rs.40,000/-
is provided for organizing games/sports/cultural events.
(F) OTHER FACILITIES
An amount of Rs.5,000/- is granted to widow/widower of a beedi worker for
conducting marriage of first two daughters.
Financial assistance of Rs.1,500/-
is provided to the family members as funeral expenses in case of death of a
beedi worker.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR BEEDI WORKERS
Ministry of Labour and
Employment has initiated action for rehabilitation of the beedi workers to
provide them alternate source of employment for viable alternative sources of
livelihood.
Some training
courses/trades have been identified like:- Zardosi
embroidery, Illustration Fashion Technology, Fabric Paining, Knitting &
Weaving, Flower Making, Block Painting, Purse Making, Patch Work, Appliqué,
Quilting, Breading & Smocking, Soft Toys, Beauty-care, Babies Garment,
Skirt Tops, Blouses, Salwar Kameez,
Machine Embroidery Operator, Computer Fundamentals, MS-Office & Internet,
Basic Automotive Servicing, Basic of Beauty & Hair Dressing, Videography, etc.
Some of these trades and courses do not require any basic qualification
or age limit.
Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Labour and Employment
gave this information in reply to a
question in the Lok Sabha today.
YSK: PM