The state government on Monday announced a pension scheme for construction workers and labourers of the state.
Revealing details about the scheme after a review meeting with Chief Minister K Rosaiah, Labour Minister Ramreddy Venkatreddy said that the pension scheme would enable labourers to avail themselves of pensions after they attain the age of 60 years.
He said that under the scheme, a labourer would have to pay Rs. 200 per annum to the state government. The state government will pay Rs. 1,000 per annum through the Labour Board and the Central government will also pay another Rs. 1,000. This will ensure that Rs. 2,200 will be deposited with the government in the labourer's name.
On reaching the age of 60, the labourer will be entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 1,000.
Venkatreddy further said that if the labourer dies before reaching the age of 60, his family members will be eligible to get Rs. 2 lakh as ex-gratia from the government.
If a labourer loses a limb during the course of his daily work, he will get ex-gratia ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, depending on the extent of disability. For serious injuries, the labourer will be paid Rs. 25,000 for treatment.
The scheme further gives maternity benefits of Rs. 5,000 to the labourer, which will cover 2 children.
Venkatreddy said that over 8 lakh labourers have already been identified, and over 7 lakh of them have been enrolled under the pension scheme. He added that identity card have already been given to over 6 lakh labourers.
filed in:Development Projects, Government Schemes, Pensions