Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to roll out a term insurance scheme for casual paid labourers engaged by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for various infrastructure projects.
Under the scheme, a sum of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the next of kin in case of death of a labourer during project works.
Giving these details here on Saturday, defence ministry officials said .
“Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to launch a group (term) insurance scheme for Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) engaged by Border Roads Organisation/General Reserve Engineer Force for the ongoing project works.” This scheme will provide the insured value of Rs 10 lakh as an insurance in any kind of death to CPLs family/next of kin, they said.
The scheme will serve as a social security and welfare measure to the CPLs working in remote and far-flung areas of the nation, they said.
“Keeping in view the severe risk posed to the lives of CPLs posted in hazardous work-sites, inclement weather, inhospitable terrain and occupational health hazards, and considering the deaths occurred/reported during their engagement, the provision of insurance coverage on humanitarian grounds will prove to be a great morale booster to the CPLs,” defence ministry statement added.
The ministry said the scheme will go a “long way” in securing the livelihoods of the families of the CLPs.
It may be recalled Rajnath had recently approved many welfare measures for the betterment of the CPLs. These include preservation and transportation of mortal remains and Transport Allowance entitlement of the attendant, enhancement of Funeral Assistance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 and advance payment against ex-gratia compensation of Rs 50,000 as immediate help in case of death, they said.