7/27/2019 Cash Benefits - a game changer for the beneficiaries.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/cash-benefits-a-game-changer-for-the-beneficiariespdf 1/1

S O C IA L S E C U R IT Y

C A S H B E N E F I T

 A G A M E CHA NGER FO R THE B ENEFIC IA RIE S

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 cashto bank accounts of 

beneficiaries through the use of 

 AADHARnumber so as to achieve

three objectives, (i) Removal of 

Malpractices, (ii) Reducing leakage

and importantly, (iii) Economy in

expenditure linked with two

objectives already brought out

herein. Keeping in view the huge

illiteracy and lack of bank accounts,

this is definitely a big challenge for 

the variousfunctionaries 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.

ESI scheme has been providing

medical care, and cash benefits in

the contingencies of sickness,

maternity, disablement and death

due to employment injury to

workers. Till 2009, the long term

benefits which were payableto the

workers and to their family

members, namely, disablement

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 variousoffices

of ESICin persons to receive such

payments. Keepingin view the long

distances they have to travel, the

inconvenience and possible

harassment bythe service providers,

a decision was taken during 2010 bythe Corporation to go for the user 

friendly measurebydirect 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 personto office and, that

in absenceof any interfacewith staff 

members, possibility of harassment,

E n T R fP R E n E U R M r s   M f I I   2 0 1 5

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 of Permanent

Disablement Benefit (PDB) and

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 alsoonesignificant fallout of thisbankaccount transfer is found to be

increase in saving habits and

possiblecontribution 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 which has

resulted in ESI Corporation

recognized for good practice award

of International Social Security

 Association (lSSA) Geneva 2012

recently.•

(8.I<.SAHU)

He Is engaged in Social Security Organization of the

Government of India and views expr ••• ed are personal