Theküvolu Thelü-o
Kohima | June 17
With the central government notifying the Pradhan Mantri Shram- Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), a pension scheme especially for the workers in unorganized sector, and the KMC following up with a notice of its own on this, there is hope among workers in the sector at the state capital that the scheme will prove to be source of empowerment.
The voluntary pension scheme is available throughout the country at all Common Service Centers and targets workers such as street vendors, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, domestic workers, rag pickers, agricultural workers, cobblers, handloom workers, washer men etc engaged in 126 other similar occupations and whose monthly earning is Rs. 15,000 or less.
The announcement of this scheme was made by the Union Finance Minister in his Budget Speech on February 1, 2019.
For 40 year old Sombari Nadzare who sells local rice cakes for a living in Kohima, the pension scheme could be a source of “empowerment,” as for all those like her, with age it becomes difficult to settle for another mode of employment.
Nadzare, who runs her business behind the Kohima local ground, adds that and the limited access to education from childhood bars them from setting too high an ambition.
However, she hopes that the pension scheme could help her sustain herself with the passage of time. “Being able to provide education to my kids with the little earning is the greatest source of my happiness, because then they will find a better tomorrow,” she says.
28 year old Arvin, a street vendor in Kohima, has resided in Nagaland for the last 15 years, and has been conducting business near the Union Baptis Church Kohima for the last 13 years.
He supports his half year old son and wife with his income, relying greatly upon the weather for the running of his business.
On the pension scheme, Arvin opines that it is appealing as if properly implemented it would provide some stability to people employed in a sector that is uncertain.
30 year old Monamati, who sells chow and momo at Razhu Point also feels the same way. As a mother, she says that considering her limited earnings, the pension scheme would help out a lot.
For 20 year old Sorito, a construction worker, the physical nature of his work exposes him to risks. Engaged in stone works for the past two years, he hopes to develop finer soft skills for a long term plan. Considering the nature of his work, the pension scheme could be something to secure his future.
“Such a scheme has been long awaited” for people in the unorganized sector, says 24 year old Burhan Uddin who does cement work and rod welding.
Supporting a year old son and his wife, Burhan states that the pension is a long needed initiative to recognize a sector which employs a large number of people and contributes a lot to the economy.
The state capital like other towns of the state is scene to swathes of people engaged in the unorganized sector which the pension scheme seeks to benefit.
The Kohima Municipal Council on June 11 informed all ward chairmen under KMC to disseminate information about the Pradhan Mantri Shram- Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme for workers in the unorganized sector.
The eligibility criteria for availing the benefit of the scheme require that the beneficiary should be an unorganized worker; an entry age between 18 and 40 years; and that the beneficiary’s monthly income be Rs. 15000 or below.
(The writer is currently an intern at The Morung Express)
