For the first time in the State, the Labour Department has introduced insurance facility for auto drivers under ‘Aam Aadmi’ scheme. The Labour officials entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India in this regard on Saturday.
Krishna District In-charge Deputy Commissioner of Labour Esuf Shaik, LIC Senior Branch Manager B. Gopi Prasad and Pilot Project Nodal Officer K. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy signed on the papers and exchanged them. A total of 3,015 auto drivers would be benefited under the scheme, which would be in force up to one year from June 29, 2013, said Assistant Commissioner of Labour (ACL) D. Anjaneya Reddy.
Speaking on the occasion, the Labour Department officials said about 92 per cent of the people are working in unorganised sectors in the State and the government has proposed to extend welfare schemes for these workers. As part, the State government is implementing insurance scheme for auto drivers, under pilot project in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
The beneficiary has to pay Rs. 100 and equal amount would be borne by the Unorganised Workers Social Security Board. Government will pay Rs. 30,000 for the beneficiaries in case of natural death, Rs. 75,000 for accidental death, Rs. 75,000 for permanent disability and Rs. 37,000 for partial disability.
A scholarship of Rs. 1,200 would be paid per annum to the children studying ninth and tenth classes and intermediate of the auto drivers, who registered under ‘Aam Aadmi’ scheme. Besides, the board is proposing to extend medical expenses, maternity and pension benefits to the members, said Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy.
The State government has identified about 47 professions, which come under unorganised sector. Plans are afoot to extend the scheme to drivers, mechanics and cleaners who are in transport department soon. The implementation of ‘Aam Aadmi’ Scheme in Vijayawada was a success, said Mr. Anjaneya Reddy.
