‘Social security: Admn must ensure elderly have access to basic necessities’
LEH: In India, the social security scheme is a government-run program that provides a safety net for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, widows, disabled individuals, and those living in poverty.
In Ladakh union territory, the social security scheme is also implemented by the government. However, due to the unique geography and cultural context of the region, there likely arise certain variations in the implementation of the scheme.
The scheme includes a range of benefits, such as pensions, healthcare, and life insurance for people.
The Social Security Scheme in India is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and includes several programs such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, and the National Pension System.
One of the senior citizens said that among variations in the implementation of the scheme, likely include the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council may play a role in the administration of social security programs in the region.
Overall, the social security scheme in Ladakh is an important safety net for vulnerable populations, helping to ensure that they have access to basic necessities such as healthcare and financial support, he said, and added that the administration must ensure that the poor, old have access to basic necessities.
“We have more than forty thousand elderly, adult people illiterate and unskilled who are in dire need of social security supporting and securing our further life,” he said.
Multiple initiatives have been taken by the administration for implantation of the social security scheme in the UT, and presently the authorities have been intending to do so.
Among schemes include Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), which is a centrally sponsored scheme and shared with Central government under which financial Assistance is provided to old aged persons of 60 years age and above, living Below Poverty Line (BPL). However, as per the data available, the scheme has only 6486 beneficiaries registered in the UT. And also under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), 445 beneficiaries get benefitted through this scheme.
At UT level, Integrated Social Security Scheme (IGSSS) state sponsored scheme is benefitting people here. Under this scheme pension is provided to old aged persons, males (60 years and above) and females (55 and above) and persons who are destitute in the sense of having no means of subsistence from their own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources. And under this scheme, the UT has so far registered 3866 beneficiaries.
Recently, with the aim of creating social security schemes for the people of Leh, especially for the poor and marginalised sections of the society, Chairman/CEC, Tashi Gyalson had asked the Bajaj Alliance to come up with plans for the way forward.
Regarding the same, a delegation of Bajaj Alliance met the CEC Leh and had briefed him about their plans to ensure the safety and security of the people of Ladakh.
For the relationship with the people of Ladakh and their future plans, the company had dicussed plans including the Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (GIC) blueprint for securing Ladakh as the Lead General Insurance for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
