MARGAO: The Pradhan Mandtri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan scheme offering pension facilities to the unorganised sector was officially launched at ESI Hospital in Margao with Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, Lok Sabha MP Narendra Sawaikar and TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai heaping praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking development to all sections of society.
“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”, the prime minister’s slogan was repeated by all the three speakers who first distributed the card to a few people who had already enrolled for the scheme that was actually launched on February 15, 2019.
All people from the unorganised sectors like rickshaw pullers, hawkers, labourers, maids, tailors, paan vendors, small shop owners, and MNREGA workers are eligible to apply for this pension scheme. In Goa, the motorcycle pilots will also be enrolled.
The main criteria to enroll for the scheme is that the applicant’s income should be less than Rs 15,000 per month and the applicant can visit any of the 18 centres set up in Goa with the Aadhar card and bank pass book and enroll for the scheme.
Applicants will have to pay monthly installment of Rs 55 to Rs 200 every depending upon the age and will receive a monthly pension of Rs 3000 on attaining the age of 60 years. The applicant’s dependents will get Rs 1,500 per month in case the applicant dies.
Persons within the age bracket of 18 years to 40 years are eligible for the scheme where the Centre will contribute the same amount paid by the applicant to generate the pension. In case the applicant dies mid-way, the dependent has the choice of continue making the payment or take back whatever amount was paid by the applicant with interest.
Vijai Sardessai said the prime minister needed to be lauded for thinking of this scheme for the unorganised sector and Narendra Sawaikar pointed out that the Kisan Credit Card has been extended to milk producers and fish harvesters while Vinay Tendulkar said the NDA government has electrified 18,000 villages, provided gas cylinders to 6 crore families and the Kisan Sanman Yojana will provide Rs 6,000 every year to farmers having less than 5 acres of land.
