New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) Scheme in Ahmedabad. Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar was present along with Chief Minister of Gujarat. Ministry of Labour and Employment arranged the launch function of the scheme at 4 levels for wider publicity and creating awareness amongst the unorganised workers. At national level, the scheme was formally launched by Prime Minister in the event held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat where around 40,000 workers from across the nation attended. Prime Minister interacted with 35 beneficiaries of the PM-SYM from different professions across the country and also distributed PM-SYM cards to the 35 beneficiaries of the scheme from across the country.
State level functions were organised in all the States where the Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, State Ministers, Trade Union Leaders and local representatives participated in the events. The District level functions have been organised by the District officials, Central and State Labour offices. At ground level, the event has been organised at three lakh Common Service Centre (CSC) across the country.
Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister for External Affairs, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law and Justice & Electronics and Information Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences & Environment, Forest and Climate Change jointly honoured beneficiaries of PM-SYM by distributing them PM-SYM Cards in New Delhi.
Swaraj said that Central Government has given social security as well as honour to Unorganized Sector Workers. Prime Minister has honoured domestic workers, rickshaw pullers, agricultural labourers, small vendors etc by recognizing them as ‘Shram Yogi’ and they will get their ‘Maandhan’ after attaining the age of 60 years. This scheme will benefit the Shram Yogis when they get old and they may have no means of livelihood and will get a ‘Maandhan’ (Pension) of Rs. 3,000 per month throughout their life.
Addressing the gathering Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that government is sincerely working for welfare of poor sections of society and poverty alleviation and social security schemes are being implemented in mission mode with regular monitoring by PM himself with an emphasis to finish the work in time bound manner. PM-SYM is a historic scheme which will benefit all unorganized sector workers earning Rs. 15,000 per month or less.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM), a pension scheme for Unorganized Workers is being implemented for an estimated 42 crore workers in the unorganized sector constituting around 85% of the total Labour force of the country.PM-SYM has been made effective since 15th Feb, 2019 in all states. It is a central sector scheme open to unorganised workers, whose monthly income is Rs 15000/- or below and who have an Aadhar number as well as savings bank account. The minimum age for joining the scheme is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years.