In a first, Kerala sets up welfare board to provide pension to MGNREGS workers

Rajendran said, “We have not fixed the amount of pension as details are being worked out. This will benefit all those who have joined the MGNREGS and the urban employment scheme.’’

As per the norm, any worker between the age of 18 and 55 can take the membership in the fund board. They have to pay an amount as premium (Rs 50 tentatively fixed) every month until the age of 55 and a member who has paid the contribution for at least 10 years will be eligible for pension. Apart from that, the fund mobilised by the board will be utilised for meeting various welfare and relief requirements of the workers such as educational and marriage expenses.

The welfare fund will comprise the government grant, the premium collected from the registered workers, the contributions of the local bodies and the loans availed by the fund board.

Apart from the monthly contribution from the workers, the government will also make an equivalent contribution towards the fund. The government can revise the contribution once every three years.

As per the data of the state NREGS Mission, Kerala has 21 lakh active job cards in 14 lakh households. The welfare fund board will have a chief executive officer, five official members and eight unofficial members as directors of the fund board.

The state has several welfare fund boards for employees of various sectors such as tailors, toddy tappers, artisans and beedi workers.