Social security cover extended to 50 crore people, says PM
In an increase of about 10 times since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the social security cover has now been extended to around 50 crore people in the country. The prime minister was interacting with beneficiaries of various social security schemes of the government via video conferencing.
“The social security schemes of the Government of India help cope with the uncertainties of life”, PM Modi said. Beneficiaries under various social security schemes stood at about 5 crore in 2014, which has now increased to 50 crore, he added.
During his interaction, the prime minister referred to the financial inclusion programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
He said that the emphasis was on three aspects – giving access of banks to the poor or banking the unbanked, access to capital for small business and budding entrepreneurs, or funding the unfunded; and a social security cover for the poor and vulnerable, thus financially securing the unsecured.
"I am particularly happy that more women have bank accounts. It is important for women to be in the financial mainstream," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. About 28 crore new bank accounts have been opened under the Jan Dhan scheme.
There are about 1 crore subscribers of the assured minimum pension scheme Atal Pension Yojana. Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana are being promoted by the government.
The government is also promoting Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana for senior citizens. About 3 lakh people have so far benefited from the scheme.
