LOK SABHA
ATAL BEEMIT VYAKTI KALYAN YOJANA
1146. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE
DR. HEENA GAVIT
DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL
SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL
SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the salient features of Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) along with its aims and objectives;
(b) whether the Government has extended ABVKY till next financial year, if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives behind the move;
(c) whether the rate of relief provided under the scheme is enhanced and has benefitted the unemployed, if so, the details thereof; and (d)the steps taken/being taken to enhance the working condition of persons working in unorganised sector in the country?
(SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)
(a) to (c): The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) is a welfare scheme of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), under which unemployed insured persons are provided cash relief for a period of maximum 90 days. The scheme came into force on 01.07.2018. It was initially implemented on a Pan India pilot basis for a period of two years. The Scheme was extended for another year i.e. from 01.07.2020 to 30.06.2021 to provide relief to those Insured Persons (IPs) who became unemployed during the Covid-19 Pandemic and the conditions for availing benefit under the scheme were also relaxed w.e.f. 24.03.2020 as under: –
i. The rate of relief under the scheme was enhanced from 25% of average per day earnings to 50% of average per day earnings.
ii. The waiting period to file claim has been reduced from 90 days to 30 days.
iii. Mandatory filing through employer and submission of affidavit by the claimant has been dispensed with.
The Scheme has further been extended for another year i.e. up to 30.06.2022 with relaxed terms and conditions.
Till 09.07.2021, a total of Rs. 73.23 crore has been disbursed among 55,125 claimants.
(d) As part of labour reforms, the Government has recently notified “The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020,” to ensure better working conditions for the workers including unorganised workers. The Code inter-alia, has provisions for cleanliness and hygiene, ventilation, adequate lighting, dust free environment, flexible working for women workers, crèche facilities for their children, toll free helpline for the inter-State migrant workers, etc.