Features of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan

The following are the key features of PM Shram Yogi Yojana

Scheme Launch

This scheme was launched in Budget 2019 by Prime Minister Narender Modi. It came into effect on 15th February 2020. This scheme aims to provide benefits to the unorganised sector people. They are primarily engaged in street vendors, rickshaw pullers, head loaders, domestic workers, washermen, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, cobblers, or other similar occupations.

Monthly Contribution

The investment amount that one can deposit towards this plan is in the range of Rs. 55 to Rs. 200. The subscriber and the central government make the contribution towards this scheme on a 50:50 basis. Hence, this amount will be auto-debited from their bank account or Jan Dhan account of the subscriber.

Age Limit

The subscriber’s age should be between 18 and 40 years (Above 40 years is not eligible). Furthermore, once the individual joins the scheme, they have to contribute until 60 years. 

Pension Amount

The minimum pension that one will receive is Rs.3000. The pension will start on attaining the age of 60 years. 

Monthly Salary

This pension scheme is available to workers whose income is below Rs.15000 per month. 

Demise of Beneficiary

The spouse will receive 50% of the pension as a family pension in case of the subscriber’s death. The family pension is only applicable to spouses and not to children. 

Early Withdrawal

The subscriber has an option to exit the scheme prematurely. This is due to the inconsistent nature of work of unorganised sector people. Therefore, if the subscriber exits the plan prematurely, within ten years, then the subscriber’s contribution along with the interest rate from the savings account will be paid.

Suppose the subscriber exits the scheme after ten years but before attaining 60 years. In that case, the beneficiary’s contribution along with the interest or interest from the savings bank account, whichever is higher, will be paid. 

Loan facility

Investment in this scheme does not provide any loans against the PMSYM  account.

Nomination Facility

The beneficiary can add the nominee while registering under this plan.

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Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan

The following are the benefits that an individual can avail of from this voluntary and contributory scheme.

Minimum Pension

The individuals who are a part of this scheme are entitled to receive a minimum pension amount of Rs.3000 per month once they complete 60 years. 

On Death

During the receipt of the pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse is entitled to receive only 50% of the pension amount. Therefore, only the subscriber’s spouse is eligible for family pension and not any other family member. 

On Disablement

Suppose the eligible subscriber has given regular contributions and becomes permanently disabled due to any cause before attaining 60 years of age and unable to contribute. In such a case, the spouse is entitled to continue with the scheme by paying regular contributions as applicable. Also, the spouse can exit the scheme by receiving the share of the amount deposited by the subscriber. The spouse will receive the contributions along with interest as earned by the pension fund or the interest at the savings bank rate, whichever is higher. 

On Early Withdrawal

If the subscriber exits the scheme within ten years, then the subscriber’s contribution along with the interest rate from the savings account will be paid.

Suppose the subscriber exits the scheme after completing ten years or more but before attaining 60 years. In that case, the beneficiary’s contribution along with interest or the interest from the savings bank account, whichever is higher, is paid. 

If the subscriber has given regular contributions and dies due to any cause, the spouse is entitled to continue subsequently by paying regular contributions as applicable. Also, the spouse can exit the scheme by receiving the share of the contribution deposited by the subscriber. The spouse will receive the contributions along with interest as earned by the pension fund or the interest at the savings bank rate, whichever is higher. 

In case of the death of the subscriber and the spouse, the corpus shall be credited back to the pension fund. 

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Eligibility for PMSYM

This yojana is meant for any person belonging to the unorganised sector. In this sector, the wages are not fixed due to the nature of work people are involved in. The wages of these workers depend on the work they do daily. In other words, they do not have a fixed income to earn a living. Therefore, the following are the conditions to be met to be eligible for this PM Shram Yogi Yojana- 

• The individual should be an unorganised sector worker
• Entry age is between 18 and 40 years
• Workers monthly income should be Rs.15,000 or below.

Should not be – 

• Any individual engaged in organised sector i.e. a member of EPFO/NPS/ESIC.
• An individual who is an income taxpayer

Individual Should possess 

• Aadhaar Card and active mobile number
• Savings bank account/ Jan Dhan bank account with IFSC

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How to Enroll for PMSYM?

Firstly, eligible and interested people can enrol for the PMSYM scheme by visiting the nearest Common Service Centres (CSC). One can check for the nearest CSC from the information page on the websites of LIC, Ministry of Labour and Employment. The following are documents that one requires for enrollment – 

• Aadhaar card
• A savings account or Jan Dhan account details along with IFSC code ( along with a copy of bank passbook or bank statement or cancelled cheque)
• An active mobile number for OTP verification
• Initial contribution in cash for opening an account under this scheme

The following are the next steps for enrollment – 

• The Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) at the CSC will enter the Aadhaar number, subscriber’s name and date of birth as printed on the Aadhaar card for authentication. The UIDAI database will verify the same through the demographic authorization.
• The VLE will complete the online registration by entering the bank account details, mobile number, email address, spouse and nominee details. Hence, self-certification of eligibility conditions are completed. 
• Post this, the system will automatically calculate the contribution per month according to the age of the candidate.
• The candidate has to pay the initial subscription amount in cash to the VLE.
• Enrolment cum auto-debit mandate form will be generated by the system and signed by the subscriber. The VLE will scan the same and upload it to the system.
• Finally, the system will generate a unique Shram Yogi Pension Account Number (SPAN). The system will print the Shram Yogi card and hand it over to the subscriber. 

Conclusion

To sum up, people falling under unorganised sector depend on their daily wages to run their household. Thus, when they become old, it becomes difficult to work and earn. Also, they don’t have a pension or savings on which they can rely. Therefore, to overcome this problem, the central government of India has come up with this valuable scheme to help the labour class people. Investment in this yojana will help them even if they are not in the condition to work anymore.