Employment & Welfare Schemes (Part – IV)

41. Choose the correct statement related to the National Pension Scheme (NPS): [B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re.Exam) 2022]

(a) NPS is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
(b) NPS is a retirement benefit scheme introduced by the Government of India to facilitate a regular income to all the citizens of India.
(c) NPS is regulated by the IRDA.
(d) NPS is regulated by the SEBI.

Correct Answer: (a) NPS is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.

Solution:The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary defined contributory pension system in India. Any citizen of India (whether resident or non-resident) and overseas citizen of India (OCI) between the age of 18-70 years can join NPS. NPS is applicable to all Central Government employees (except Armed Forces) joining the services on or after 1" January, 2004 and to all State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments. It was opened up for all citizens of India in 2009 and for OCI card holders in October, 2019. It is administered and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

42. Which of the following statements is NOT correct for National Pension Scheme for Retail Traders/ Shopkeepers and Self-employed persons? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Those who are in age groups of 18 to 40 years are eligible.
(b) Their annual turnover should not exceed 1.5 crore.
(c) National Pension Scheme's member are also eligible
(d) It has a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000.00.

Correct Answer: (c) National Pension Scheme's member are also eligible

Solution:National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-employed persons (NPS-Traders/PM Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojna), 2019 is meant for old age protection and social security of retail traders/shopkeepers and self-employed persons (with entry age between 18 to 40 years), whose annual turnover is not exceeding Rs. 1.5 crore. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, under which the subscriber would receive a minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years. Person engaged in organized sector (membership of National Pension Scheme/ EPF/ESIC), a beneficiary of PM-SYM or an income tax payer is not eligible for this scheme.

43. When was the 'PM Kisan Maan-dhan Yojana' launched for the purpose of pension to small and marginal farmers? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) 15 August, 2020
(b) 12 September, 2019
(c) 26 January, 2020
(d) 25 August, 2019

Correct Answer: (b) 12 September, 2019

Solution:On September 12, 2019, the Prime Minister of India launched the 'PM Kisan Maan-dhan Yojana' at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The scheme is meant for old age protection and social security of small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, the farmers would receive a minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years and if the farmer dies, the spouse of the farmer shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension. The eligible farmer is required to contribute to a Pension Fund between Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month (depending on the entry age) till the retirement age of 60 years. The Central Government will also contribute the equal amount to the Pension Fund. A farmer of age between 18 to 40 years, who owns cultivable lands up to 2 hectare is eligible for this scheme.

44. In Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Scheme, each subscriber shall receive the minimum assured pension of ......... per month after attaining the age of 60 years. [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (c) Rs. 3,000

Solution:Government of India has introduced a pension scheme in 2019 for unorganized sector workers namely 'Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan' (PM-SYM) to ensure old age protection for them. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, under which each subscriber shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.

The unorganized sector workers, with monthly income of less than Rs. 15000 and who belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years, are eligible for this scheme.

45. Ashraya Bima Yojana aims to provide: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

(a) allotment of house
(b) housing loan
(c) employment to the unemployed
(d) social security to such workers who got unemployed

Correct Answer: (d) social security to such workers who got unemployed

Solution:Ashraya Bima Yojana was launched by the Government of India in 2001 and has been in effect since then. This scheme offers insurance cover to workers in case they get unemployed due to any reason and offers them financial security. A compensation of maximum 30% of the salary earned annually will be paid out to the affected worker till he finds on alternative work or for a period of one year, whichever is earliest. The maximum amount paid out to the insured on a monthly basis would be Rs. 3000.

46. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojna provides social security to: [U.P. Lower Spl. (Pre) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

(a) all labourers in rural areas
(b) all landless labourers living below the poverty line in rural areas
(c) all labourers in urban areas
(d) all labourers in rural as well as urban areas

Correct Answer: (b) all landless labourers living below the poverty line in rural areas

Solution:Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana was started by Government of India on October 2, 2007 to provide social security to landless labourers living below poverty line in rural areas. Under this scheme, head of landless rural family or an earning member of the family aged between 18 to 59 years was eligible to get insurance. The scheme was operated in collaboration with States/UTs and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The premium payable under this scheme was borne by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 50: 50 per member per year. The scheme also provided an add-on-benefit, wherein scholarship of Rs. 100 per month per child was paid on half-yearly basis to a maximum of two children per member, studying in 9th to 12th standard. Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) for persons of identified vocational groups was merged then Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana w.e.f. from 1 January, 2013 and them Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana provided death and disability cover to persons between the age group of 18 to 59 years, under 48 identified vocational/ occupational groups/rural landless households. Aam Aadm Bima Yojana was converged with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) with effect from 1 June, 2017

47. With reference to 'Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana', consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or an earning member of the family in a rural landless household.

2. The member insured must be in the age group of 3010 65 years.

3. There is a provision for free scholarship for upto two children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:As per the question period option (c) was the correct answer. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana was started by Government of India on October 2, 2007 to provide social security to landless labourers living below poverty line in rural areas. Under this scheme, head of landless rural family or an earning member of the family aged between 18 to 59 years was eligible to get insurance. The scheme was operated in collaboration with States/UTs and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The premium payable under this scheme was borne by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 50: 50 per member per year. The scheme also provided an add-on-benefit, wherein scholarship of Rs. 100 per month per child was paid on half-yearly basis to a maximum of two children per member, studying in 9th to 12th standard. Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) for persons of identified vocational groups was merged then Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana w.e.f. from 1 January, 2013 and them Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana provided death and disability cover to persons between the age group of 18 to 59 years, under 48 identified vocational/ occupational groups/rural landless households. Aam Aadm Bima Yojana was converged with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) with effect from 1 June, 2017

48. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) was launched on: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

(a) 15 March, 2009
(b) 15 January, 2008
(c) 15 August, 2007
(d) 2 October, 2007

Correct Answer: (d) 2 October, 2007

Solution:As per the question period option (c) was the correct answer. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana was started by Government of India on October 2, 2007 to provide social security to landless labourers living below poverty line in rural areas. Under this scheme, head of landless rural family or an earning member of the family aged between 18 to 59 years was eligible to get insurance. The scheme was operated in collaboration with States/UTs and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The premium payable under this scheme was borne by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 50: 50 per member per year. The scheme also provided an add-on-benefit, wherein scholarship of Rs. 100 per month per child was paid on half-yearly basis to a maximum of two children per member, studying in 9th to 12th standard. Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) for persons of identified vocational groups was merged then Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana w.e.f. from 1 January, 2013 and them Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana provided death and disability cover to persons between the age group of 18 to 59 years, under 48 identified vocational/ occupational groups/rural landless households. Aam Aadm Bima Yojana was converged with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) with effect from 1 June, 2017

49. Consider the following: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

1. Hotels and restaurants

2. Motor transport undertakings

3. Newspaper establishments

4. Private medical institutions

The employees of which of the above can have the 'Social Security' coverage under Employees' State Insurance Scheme?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) Only 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution:

The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme is an integrated measure of Social Insurance embodied in the Employees' State Insurance Act and it is designed to accomplish the task of protecting 'employees' as defined in the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 against the impact of incidences of sickness, maternity, disablement and death due to employment injury and to provide medical care to insured persons and their families. The ESI Scheme applies to factories and other establishments viz. Road Transport, Hotels. Restaurants, Cinemas, Newspaper, Shops and Educational/ Medical Institutions wherein 10 or more persons are employed. ESI Corporation has extended the benefits of the ESI Scheme to the workers deployed on the construction sites w.e.f. 1 August, 2015.

50. In which one of the following years the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act was passed? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) 2004
(b) 2006
(c) 2008
(d) 2010

Solution:The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act was passed by the Parliament in 2008. After approval of the President, it was notified on 30 December, 2008.