SOCIAL SECURITY

CASH BENEFIT A GAME CHANGER FOR THE BENEFICIARIES

In the recent past there has been flow of news both in electronic and print media about cash transfer involving variouswelfare schemesof Govt.of India. The main objective of the said cash transfer is to ensure transfer of cash to bank accounts of beneficiaries through the use of AADHAR number so as to achieve three objectives, (i) Removal of Malpractices, (ii) Reducing leakage and importantly, (iii) Economy in expenditure objectives linked with two out already brought ESI scheme has been providing medical care, and cash benefits in the contingencies of sickness, injury to maternity, disablement and death due to employment workers. Till 2009, the long term benefits which were payable to the workers members, and to their family namely, disablement corrupt practices stand removed. Another major effort was made in contacting State bank of India and banks like Union Bank of India in opening no-frills bank accounts for beneficiaries of the scheme by producing identity cards / Pehchan Cards issued by ESI corporation which has support from the ESIC Branch Managers located in field offices. Today almost 1,98,000/beneficiaries Disablement of Permanent Benefit (PDB) and

benefits and dependent benefit(a form of pensionscheme)on monthly basis were paid in cash for which such beneficiaries have necessarily to travel all the way to various offices of ESICin persons to receive such payments. Keeping in view the long distances they have to travel, the inconvenience and possible harassment by the service providers, a decision was taken during 2010 by the Corporation to go for the user friendly measureby direct transfer of cash benefit to the accounts of the beneficiaries. At the initial stage, there was resistance from various trade unions and individual workers due to non receipt of hard cash in hand, since most of such beneficiaries were not having bank accounts. A persistent effort was made through officers and staff of ESIC particularly, field officers to convince beneficiaries the benefits of such transfer of cash benefits to their accounts,that they do not have to come in person to office and, that in absenceof any interface with staff members, possibility of harassment,

about 80,000 families of Dependent Benefit (DB) are getting benefits directly transferred to their bank accounts. This has brought out not only smiles in their faces particularly, the aged population of beneficiaries but also one significant fallout of this bank account transfer is found to be increase in saving habits and possible contribution to the national economy besides financial identity in the society. Keeping in view the great successof this transfer of cash benefit. It is proposed to make all remaining cash benefits payments to bank accounts by the end of this current financial year.This is one of the good practices resulted in which has ESI Corporation Social Security

herein. Keeping in view the huge illiteracy and lack of bank accounts, this is definitely a big challenge for the various functionaries of the Govt. but if implemented wholeheartedly by the service providers which itself calls for attitudinal change from "Nothing can be done, to, it can be done" While central Govt. is now talking of cashtransfer,it isdefinitely gratifying rather proud moment to be involved in such a task which is already in force in one of the biggest Social Security S.chemeof Govt. of India Le.Employees'State Insurance Scheme being administered under Ministry of Labour & Employment Govt.of India. Togo bythe statistics, today the Schemehasa membership of 1.90 crores insured persons (workers of factory/establishment who stand covered under ESI Act) with a total number of approximately 6 crore including family members.

recognized for good practice award of International recently. Association (lSSA) Geneva 2012

(8.I<.SAHU)
He Is engaged in Social Security Organization of the Government of India and views expr ed are personal

EnTRfPREnEURMrs MfII 2015