Modi launches pension scheme for small traders and self-employed
12 Sep 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons with annual turnover not exceeding Rs1.5 crore. A voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the 18-40 age group, the scheme assures a minimum monthly pension of Rs3,000 on attaining the age of 60 years. The central government will contribute 50 per cent of the share of the monthly contribution with the beneficiary contributing the remaining 50 per cent.
Together, the pension schemes for farmers and traders and self-employed will benefit around 80 million people in the country.
“With this nation-wide launch, the facility for enrollment under the scheme has been made available to the prospective beneficiaries through 3.50 lakh Common Service Center (CSCs) across the country,” an official release said.
People can also self-enroll by visiting the portal www.maandhan.in/vyapari. The eligible Vyaparis can visit their nearest CSCs and get enrolled under the scheme.
At the time of enrollment, the beneficiary is required to have an Aadhaar card and a saving bank/ Jan-dhan Account passbook only. He/ She should be within 18 to 40 years of age group. GSTIN is required only for those with turnover above Rs 40 lakhs. The enrolment under the scheme is free of cost for the beneficiaries and is based upon self-certification.
Launching the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana at Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, the prime minister said the scheme will help secure the lives of 50 million small and marginal farmers by providing a minimum pension of Rs3,000 per month to those who attain 60 years of age.
Prime minister also launched the National Pension Scheme for Traders and the Self-Employed.
The scheme aims at providing a minimum assured pension of Rs3,000, to small traders and self-employed after attaining the age of 60 years.
Around 30 million small traders are expected to benefit from the scheme.
Modi said his government will ensure that the electoral promise of a strong government that will fulfill people’s aspirations is delivered.
“I said that every farmer family of the country will get the benefit of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi after the formation of the new government. Today, more than Rs21,000 crore has been deposited in the accounts of about six and a half crore farmer families of the country. There are also 8 lakh farmer families of Jharkhand, in whose account about two hundred and fifty crores have been deposited.”
Reiterating the government’s agenda, the prime minister said: “Development is our priority as well as commitment. Our government is trying to provide a shield of social security to every Indian.”
“Government is becoming the companion of those who need it the most. Since March this year, a similar pension scheme is going on for crores of unorganized sector workers of the country.”
“More than 32 lakh laborers have also joined the Shramayogi Manadhan Yojana. More than 22 crore people have joined Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, out of which more than 30 lakh beneficiaries are from Jharkhand only. Also, under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, about 44 lakh poor patients have been benefitted, out of which about 3 lakh are from Jharkhand.”
In an effort to empower all, the prime minister today launched 462 Ekalavya Model Schools across the country in tribal dominated areas. The schools would focus on providing quality upper primary, secondary and senior secondary level education to ST students in these areas.
“These Eklavya schools will not only serve as medium of education for tribal children but there will also be facilities for sports and skill development along with protection of local arts and culture. In these schools, the government will spend more than Rs1 lakh a year on every tribal child.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Multi-Modal Transport Terminal at Sahibganj.
“Today I also have the privilege of inaugurating the Sahibganj multi-modal terminal. This is not just another project, but is giving a new option of transportation to this entire region. This waterway will connect Jharkhand not only with the whole country, but also with foreign countries. From this terminal, the tribal brothers and sisters, farmers here, will now be able to access their produce in the markets across the country more easily, PM added.”
The prime minister also inaugurated the New Vidhan Sabha building of Jharkhand.
“Today, nearly two decades after the formation of the state, the temple of democracy is being inaugurated in Jharkhand. This building is the holy place where the foundation of the golden future of the people of Jharkhand will be laid and dreams of present and future generations will be realised”. PM also laid the foundation stone of the new building of the secretariat.
The prime minister exhorted the people of the country to reduce the usage of Single-Use Plastic.
Referring to the Swachhata Hi Seva Programme launched on the 11 September 2019, the prime minister said, “Since yesterday, the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has started in the country. Under this campaign, by October 2, we have to collect single-use plastic in our homes, schools, offices. On October 2, the day of Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary, we have to remove that plastic pile”.