"Bengal government introduces cash scheme for non-workers of tea gardens"

The Bengal government has introduced a social security scheme for non-workers living in the tea belt of north Bengal.

Each non-worker aged 18 years or above in a tea garden will be brought under the Bina Mulya Samajik Suraksha Yojana (BMSSY). While the beneficiary needs to make an annual payment of ₹55, the government will contribute ₹660 to the scheme.

“If a person is 20 years old, he or she will get a one-time payment of ₹2.72 lakh when he/she turns 60. For others, the disbursement will be proportionate to their age at the time of enrollment,” said a source in the administration.

If the beneficiary dies in an accident, the next of kin will receive ₹2 lakh. In case of a normal death, the kin will be paid ₹50,000.

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The enrolment of people under the BMSSY has started in Alipurduar, which has 61 tea estates. The district has over 1.30 lakh people who live on tea plantations and aren’t attached to various kinds of work in the gardens ...

“The launch of the BMSSY is an important decision made by the state government for non-workers of tea gardens. At 60, they will get a lumpsum amount and in case of any unfortunate incident, the families will receive compensation,” said Nakul Sonar, the chairman of the Trinamool Cha Bagan Sramik Union.

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