Include all poor in PMSBY, PMJJBY: Jaitley to CM

The Union Government has asked the State Government to take steps to cover all poor people under the two Central insurance schemes, the Pradhan Mantri Surakha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).In a letter, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard.

Jaitley stated that support of the State Government is needed to make the two schemes and the Atal Pension Yojan more successful.He said people working in the unorganised sector and others like Anganwadi employees, ASHA Workers, MGNREGA workers and industry workers need to be covered under the PMSBY and the PMJJBY.

Meanwhile, Union Financial Services Secretary Hasmukh Adhia has urged Chief Secretary GC Pati to publicise both the insurance programmes and help potential claimants in filing claims.Adhia has stated that publicity campaigns in hospitals, Public Health Centers (PHC), police stations, municipalities, blocks, gram panchayats are needed. So far, a total of 35.96 lakh people of the State have been covered under the PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY, according to officials.

The PMSBY provides an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for an accidental death and disability at an annual premium of Rs 12 while PMJJBY provides Rs 2 lakh death cover at an annual premium of Rs 330.

While the PMJJBY covers people from 18- 50 years of age, the PMSBY covers people aged between 18 to 70 years.The APY provides a monthly assured minimum pension of Rs1,000 after attaining 60 years of age.In the meantime, the State level Bankers’ Committee (SlBC) has requested the State Government to direct the district Collectors to provide all possible support to banks to maximise collection of applications.