VILLAGE NEWS
For the first time, 19 self-help group women opened individual bank accounts for insurance last week in Maira village, Punjab. The insurances are provided by the central government to cover the beneficiary’s family in case of injury, casualty or death. Two days ago, on 5th of June, the women received the passbooks for their accounts.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) accident insurance and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) life insurance are social security schemes. They were launched in 2015 by the Indian government for the welfare of the needy.
When village coordinator Deeksha found out about the schemes, she organized a village development committee (VDC) meeting, proposing the insurance schemes. VDC members went door to door to discuss and inform beneficiaries. Before that, Deeksha visited the bank and spoke with the bank manager about the insurances for which each of the beneficiaries will need to open an individual bank account. As a result bank clerks came to visit the village in order to inform the people of the scheme and its benefits. Insurance application forms were given to Deeksha who helped the women to fill them and finally submitted for 19 members.
On hearing about these schemes members of Amrita, Mahadev and Amma Vaishno SHGs expressed their interest in opening bank accounts with 100 rupee deposits for this purpose.
Additional information on the schemes:
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): Premium of 12 rupees per year. Eligible person is 18-70 year old healthy person. In case of injury or casualty, the coverage is 2 Lakhs (2,00,000 rupees).
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): Premium of 330 rupees per year. Eligible person is 18-55 year old healthy person. In case of death for any reason, the coverage is 2 Lakhs (2,00,000 rupees).