Social Security Coverage in India Reaches 48.8%: Minister
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Synopsis
India's social security coverage has increased significantly, now at 48.8%. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced this during a webinar, highlighting the government's initiatives for youth empowerment and workforce welfare, including the expansion of the e-Shram Portal and job creation.
Key Takeaways
- Social security coverage doubles to 48.8% in India.
- e-Shram Portal supports over 30.67 crore unorganised workers.
- 10 new ESIC medical colleges approved.
- 17.1 crore jobs created from 2014-2024.
- Unemployment rate fell to 3.2%.
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) India's social security coverage has surged from 24.4 percent to 48.8 percent, according to Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya. In a post-budget webinar themed 'Investing in People', Mandaviya elaborated on the government's initiative to skill and empower the youth of India, aiming for a significant global impact.
Referring to the ILO World Social Security Report 2024-26, he noted, "India's social security coverage has doubled from 24.4 percent to 48.8 percent."
The expansion of the e-Shram Portal, which now encompasses over 30.67 crore unorganised workers, alongside the inclusion of gig workers under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), demonstrates the government's dedication to workforce welfare, the Minister stated.
He mentioned that the government has integrated 12 significant welfare schemes under e-Shram and made the portal accessible in 22 Indian languages to assist workers' families.
“Ten new ESIC medical colleges have received approval, with plans for an additional ten in the works,” he stated.
Mandaviya emphasized the vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, asserting that investing in people transcends economic decisions and reflects a social, moral, and cultural commitment to fostering an educated, healthy, and empowered society.
Highlighting the success of employment initiatives, he said, “17.1 crore jobs have been created between 2014-24, including 4.6 crore in the previous year alone.”
Conversely, he reported a substantial decline in unemployment rates, dropping from 6 percent in 2017-18 to 3.2 percent in 2023-24.
Additionally, there has been “a notable increase in female employment from 22 percent to 40.3 percent during the same period,” he added, attributing these accomplishments to the government’s progressive policies.
Meanwhile, Sumita Dawra, Secretary (Labour and Employment), highlighted significant advancements in modernizing the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), with over 6.2 crore new members enrolled in just six and a half years.
She also cited reforms such as a centralized pension processing system, auto-settlement of PF claims, and a robust IT infrastructure.
Dawra underscored the expansion of ESIC from 2.03 crore insured persons (IPs) in 2014 to 3.72 crore in 2024, alongside a growing healthcare network encompassing 165 hospitals and 1,590 dispensaries.
