S.No. Topic

1. Social security Introduction 01

2. History of social security 01

3. Why do we need social security 01

4. Social security in India 02

5. Context of social security 02

6. How India can improve its social security measures 02

7. Social Security: Constitutional Provisions and International Convention 04

8. The code on Social Security 2019: Introduction 05

9. Need for unified Law 05

10. Social security organizations 06

11. Social security fund 06

12. Shram Suvidha Portal 09

13. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) 10

14. Major Steps Taken By EPFO 10

15. Major Steps Taken By ESIC 10

16. Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) 11

17. Insurance and pension Scheme 11

18. Social security schemes for unorganized sector 12

19. The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) 12

20. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) 12

21. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana 12

22. National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen 12

23. Aam Admi Bima Yojana 12

24. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) 12

25. Atal Pension Yojna (APY) 13

26. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) 13

27. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) 13

28. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana 13

29. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana 13

30. Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Mandhan Yojana, 2019 14

31. PMJDY 14

32. Jan Suraksha Bima Yojana 14

33. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema 14

34. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana 14

35.

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights

and Full Participation) Act, 1995

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36. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 15

37. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) 15

38.

Swadesh Darshan or PRASAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage 15

39. Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Schemes 15

40. Social Security in Education 16

41. Social Security for the Unorganised Sector in India 16

42. Domestic Workers in India 17

43. Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act 17

44. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) 17

45. Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 17

46. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace 17

47. Pension for all 18

48. Health for All 20

49. Health Insurance in India 20

50. Empowering the Differently Abled 21

51. Securing Farmer’s Welfare: Reality to Vision 22

52. Social Security: Global Scenario 23

53. Protecting the Unprotected i.e. Unorganized sector 24

54. Systematic Reforms in MGNREGA 24

55. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 25

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Social security: Introduction Social security is any government system that provides monetary assistance to people with an inadequate or no income. It refers to the action programs of an organization intended to promote the welfare of the population through assistance measures guaranteeing access to sufficient resources for food and shelter and to promote health and well-being for the population at large and potentially vulnerable segments such as children, the elderly, the sick and the unemployed. Services providing under social security are often called social services. In other words, it can be referred as measures established by legislation to maintain individual or family income or to provide income when some or all sources of income are disrupted or terminated or when exceptionally heavy expenditures have to be incurred (e.g., in bringing up children or paying for health care) Social security may provide cash benefits to persons faced with sickness and disability, unemployment, crop failure, loss of the marital partner, maternity, responsibility for the care of young children, or retirement from work.

History of Social security

Germany was the first country to introduce Social security scheme in 1883. Each member of a particular trade (blacksmiths, painters, weavers etc.) was required to contribute at regular intervals. Money from this fund was used for food, lodging, hospital and funeral expenses of aged and disabled members. In USA, Social Security Act came into existence in 1935.

Why do we need Social Security? India has a very basic social security system catering to a fairly small percentage of the country’s workforce. Traditionally, Indians relied on their extended families for support in the event of illness or other misfortunes. However, due to migration, urbanization, and higher social mobility, family bonds are less tight and family units much smaller than they used to be. So far, neither the state nor private insurance companies have quite stepped up to fill this gap.

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Social Security System in India India’s social security system is composed of a number of schemes and programs spread throughout a variety of laws and regulations. Keeping in mind, however, that the government-controlled social security system in India applies to only a small portion of the population. Furthermore, the social security system in India includes not just an insurance payment of premiums into government funds (like in China), but also lump sum employer obligations. Generally, India’s social security schemes cover the following types of social insurances:

• Pension

• Health Insurance and Medical Benefit Disability Benefit

• Maternity Benefit Gratuity

Context of social security: India does not yet explicitly recognize a national minimum social security cover. In recent years, including with an intervention by the Supreme Court in the Right to Food case, the government has moved forward to providing nutrition and employment support with a legal guarantee through the MGNREGA. Economists Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze distinguish two aspects of social security — “protection” and “promotion.” While the former denotes protection against a fall in living standards and living conditions through ill health, accidents, the latter focuses on enhanced living conditions, helping everyone overcome persistent capabilities deprivation.

How India can improve its social security measures? 1. Develop and agree on a roadmap for universalization: Government should work on a roadmap and should release it officially to bring public accountability and establish supporting institutional mechanisms and integrate schemes to bring efficiency. 2. Establish an autonomous national social security organization: To bring efficiency and implementation effectiveness of the number of schemes currently running 3. Develop a social sector investment plan with innovative financing mechanisms: A social security investment plan for next 15 or 20 years needs to be developed with clear understanding of the resource requirement, giving due consideration to changing demographics

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List/propose innovative and assured mechanisms for financial allocation to these schemes to ensure sustainability 4. Focus on solidarity as well as public awareness and engagement: A key principle in social security system, where people commit to help those who are underprivileged and less fortunate. It can be brought through involvement of community through awareness generation efforts 5. Consider universal health coverage (UHC) as part of social security measures: Lack of universal health coverage and health related expenditure is undoing all social security efforts including efforts targeted for poverty reduction It is time that Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and National Health protection Scheme (NHPS) are financed sufficiently with a vision for incremental government investment on health to advance towards Universal Health Coverage. 6. Proactive Leadership by State Government: In a federal country, States have to play a major role in social security measures. It will provide flexibility and window for innovations to make social security initiatives a success. 7. Consider legislative and legal reforms: The social security schemes need to have legislative and legal support for sustainability, if need be should also be supported by constitutional amendments Also, tax-based financing has to be replaced with mandatory contributions from those who can afford to pay 8. Corporate Social Responsibility – the Harbinger for Empowerment Required for scale, speed and creating best practices for others to emulate. The CSR ecosystem is getting a boost as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015 are becoming pivotal areas for the corporate sector to act upon through CSR activities. Corporate Social Innovation should go hand in hand with Corporate Social Responsibility - Creating shared value through innovative models will have deep rooted societal impacts that will mainstream the marginalized. While a great deal of the Indian population is in the unorganized sector and may not have an opportunity to participate in each of these schemes, Indian citizens in the organized sector (which include those employed by foreign investors) and their employers are entitled to coverage under the above schemes.

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Its loopholes With about 22 percent of India’s population living below the poverty line, the “unorganized” sector, i.e. enterprises — mainly in agriculture, which are not legally covered by any form of social security, is disproportionately large. Social Security is more than just a retirement program. It provides important life insurance and disability insurance protection as well. Retirement benefits aren’t much progressive to keeps up with increasing cost of living.

Social Security: Constitutional Provisions and International Convention

1. Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Right to Social Security Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. 2. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Right to Work Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. 3. Indian Constitution says – DPSP: Article 41: Within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want Article 42: Provisions for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief 4. 7th Schedule/Concurrent List (List III in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India)

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Item No. 23 Social Security and insurance, Employment and unemployment. Item No. 24 Welfare of Labor including conditions of work, Provident funds, Employers’ liability, Workmen’s compensation, Invalidity and old age pension and maternity benefits.

The code on Social Security 2019: Introduction • The code on Social Security 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha in December 2019. It strives to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the Social Security of the employees and the matters connected to Social Security. The Bill is with the standing committee now. • Social Security refers to measures to ensure the provision of income security and access to health care to workers. • The codification of labor laws was recommended by the Second National Commission on Labor 2002. • The labor ministry, accordingly, is in the process of amalgamation of labor laws, 44 in total in number, namely Code on wages, Code on industrial relations, Social Security and safety code, and Code on health and working conditions. • The Social Security Code 2019 is one of the four labor code approved by the Cabinet for the reform.

Need for unified Law Most of the central labour laws were enacted between the 1920s and 1970s. These codes were created in conformity with the requirements of the workers of that period. However, things have changed dramatically today. Many of the earlier laws have become archaic which has been creating hurdles for the employers to create new employment opportunities. Even the workers find it very difficult to get efficient social security benefits on time. The current objective of the bill is to cover each and every worker within a robust social security net. At the same time, Bill aims to help employers in creating new jobs. Hence, this bill will create an environment for the employers and workers to come together. The code has 163 clauses, divided into 14 chapters in addition to six schedules on the procedural aspects. It replaces the existing nine laws on social security. They are- 1. Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923; 2. Employee’s State Insurance Act, 1948; 3. Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952;

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4. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; 5. The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959; 6. Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972; 7. Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981; 8. Building and Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996; 9. Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. Wage definition widened The definition of wages has three parts to it – 1. An inclusion part, 2. Specified exclusions with limits and 3. Benefits in kind • All remuneration expressed in monetary terms is wage and includes basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance. • Specific exclusions are statutory bonuses, PF, pension and gratuity, house rent and conveyance allowances etc. which cannot exceed 50 per cent of total remuneration. • Remuneration provided in-kind will be included to the extent of 15 per cent of total wages. • Overall, this will ensure that wages for social security benefits will be at least 50 per cent of overall compensation.

Social security organizations The Code provides for the establishment of several bodies to administer the social security schemes. These include: 1. Central Board of Trustees, headed by the Central Provident Fund Commissioner, to administer the EPF, EPS and EDLI Schemes, 2. Employees State Insurance Corporation, headed by a Chairperson appointed by the central government, to administer the ESI Scheme, 3. National and state-level Social Security Boards, headed by the central and state Ministers for Labour and Employment, respectively, to administer schemes for unorganized workers. 4. State-level Building Workers’ Welfare Boards, headed by a Chairperson nominated by the state government, to administer schemes for building workers.

Social security fund

• The Bill proposes setting up a social security fund using corpus available under corporate social responsibility. • This fund will provide welfare benefits such as a pension, medical cover, death and

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disablement benefits to all workers, including gig workers. Reducing employee PF contribution • The bill provides for an option of reducing provident fund contribution (currently at 12% of basic salary) and therefore increases workers take-home pay. • The rationale for allowing lower employee PF contribution is that higher take-home pay may boost consumption. The Bill, however, retains employers’ PF contribution at 12%. Gratuity for fixed-term contract workers • Currently, workers are not entitled to gratuity before completing five years of continuous service. The bill says that fixed-term contract workers will be eligible for gratuity on a pro-rata basis. • It proposes to offer gratuity to fixed term employees after one year of service on a pro-rata basis as against the current practice of five years. Exemption • It will empower the central government to exempt select establishments from all or any of the provisions of the code and makes Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits under various social security schemes. Insurance, PF, life cover for unorganized sector employees: • Central Government shall formulate and notify suitable welfare schemes for unorganized workers on matter relating to life and disability cover; health and maternity benefits; old age protection; and any other benefit as may be determined by the central government. Gig Workers • In addition, the central or state government may notify specific schemes for gig workers, platform workers, and unorganized workers to provide various benefits, such as life and disability cover. • Gig workers refer to workers outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship (e.g., freelancers). • Platform workers are workers who access other organizations or individuals using online platforms and earn money by providing them with specific services. • Unorganized workers include home-based and self- employed workers. Coverage and registration • The Code specifies different applicability thresholds for the schemes. For example, the EPF Scheme will apply to establishments with 20 or more employees. • The ESI Scheme will apply to certain establishments with 10 or more employees, and to all establishments which carry out hazardous or life-threatening work notified by the central government. • These thresholds may be amended by the central government. All eligible establishments are required to register under the Code, unless they are already registered under any other labor law. Contributions • The EPF, EPS, EDLI, and ESI Schemes will be financed through a combination of contributions from the employer and employee.

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• For example, in the case of the EPF Scheme, the employer and employee will each make matching contributions of 10% of wages, or such other rate as notified by the government. • All contributions towards payment of gratuity, maternity benefit, cess for building workers, and employee compensation will be borne by the employer. • Schemes for gig workers, platform workers, and unorganized workers may be financed through a combination of contributions from the employer, employee, and the appropriate government. Offences and penalties The Code specifies penalties for various offences, such as: • Failure by an employer to pay contributions under the Code after deducting the employee’s share, punishable with imprisonment between one and three years, and fine of one lakh rupees, and • Falsification of reports, punishable with imprisonment of up to six months. Advantages of the unified Law The Code is a break from numerous and archaic social security laws. Major promising features of the Code are: • The social safety-related laws had indeed become outdated in today’s environment. For example, online platform workers such as Ola, Uber etc. we’re not covered in the previous laws. The Social security code Bill, 2019 covers all those workers. • The ambit of this social security code is truly large as it covers not only the number of employees which an organization has (if it more than 10, it will come under the social security laws) but the workers involved in hazardous nature of work will be also be covered under the act. • At the same time, through code on social security, the regulatory regime would be less problematic for the employers and employees. For example, an inspector, under the new code, cannot open an EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organization) record of more than five years. • Under the Code, the central government may notify various social security schemes for the benefit of workers. These include an Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, an Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and an Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme. Criticisms • There is no uniform definition of “social security”, nor is there a central fund. The corpus is proposed to be split into numerous small funds creating a multiplicity of authorities and confusion. • It is not clear how the proposed dismantling of the existing and functional structures, such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) with its corpus of ₹10 lakh crore — which will be handed over to a government-appointed central board — is a better alternative. • Crucial categories such as “workers”; “wages”; “principal- agent” in a contractual situation; and “organised-unorganised” sectors have not been clearly defined. • This will continue to impede the extension of key social security benefits such as PF, gratuity, maternity benefits, and healthcare to all sections of workers. • The Bill welcomes aboard large sections of the workforce

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— “gig workers” such as those working in taxi aggregate companies like Uber and Ola. • But how exactly the government proposes to facilitate their access to PF or medical care is not clear. Conclusion Social Security protects people against a variety of risks to ensure them a basic floor of income in old age and to enable many people who have struggled all their lives to look forward to a decent standard of comfort and dignity when they retire. • Though it needs to be passed in the parliament, the Code on Social Security, 2019 is a robust arrangement to effect economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the working of the social security regime. • The inclusion of unorganized sector is a welcome step as the economy right now is service sector dominated. • Further positive changes too must be looked forward as they are in the long run are helpful to the wide sections. Way Forward • The Code on Social Security is clearly a move in the right direction to rationalize and consolidate social security related labour laws. • It is critical for employers to analyses the impact of the Code and the compliances thereunder in order to be able to undertake a smooth transition as and when the Code becomes a law. • The code is giving a robust and efficient coverage of social security to each and every worker of the country. • The code gives lot of respite to the employer from the rigidity of laws and whims and wishes from the law enforcement agencies. • This code takes the labour reforms from the manufacturing sector space to the services sector and this transition will cater to the large section of workers contributing to the share of GDP.

Shram Suvidha Portal:

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment has developed a unified Web Portal ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’, to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of compliance. • Unique labour identification number (LIN) will be allotted to Units to facilitate online registration. • Filing of self-certified and simplified Single Online Return by the industry instead of filing separate Returns. • Computerized inspection Reports within 72 hours by the Labour inspectors. • Timely and effective redressal of grievance. • Integrating Shram Suvidha Portal with States • Integration of States with Shram Suvidha Portal is under way. Data is being shared and LIN is being allotted to the establishments covered by the state labour enforcement agencies.

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Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM- SYM): • It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the benefit of unorganized workers. • It is a central sector scheme open to unorganized workers, whose monthly income is Rs.15000/- or below and who has an Aadhar number as well as savings bank/ jan-dhan account. • The minimum age for joining the scheme is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years. Under the scheme, minimum assured monthly pension of Rs.3000/- will be provided to the beneficiaries from the age of 60 years onwards. • National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeepers and Self-Employed Persons: It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme. Enrolment to the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres. • The traders in the age group of 18-40 years with an annual turnover, not exceeding Rs.1.5 crore and who are not members of EPFO/ESIC/NPS/PM-SYM or an income tax payer can join the scheme. • Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. Subscribers, after attaining the age of 60 years, are eligible for a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs.3,000. • Pension Week was celebrated in all the States/UTs from 30th November to 06th December, 2019 in coordination with Common Service Centres, to increase the enrolments under both the Schemes, i.e. PM-SYM and NPS-Traders.

Major Steps Taken By EPFO

Three important digital initiatives of EPFO are as under: • Online Facility for UAN generation by worker. • EPS Pensioner’s PPO in Digi Locker website/Application (APP). • E-Inspections: Digital interface of EPFO with employers.

Major Steps Taken By ESIC

• Rate reduction in ESI Contribution: This reduction of contribution rates, will ensures financial relief to employers and employees. • ESIC – Chinta Se Mukti app launched - The Corporation has also launched the ESIC “Chinta Se Mukti” app available on the UMANG platform to facilitate stakeholders to view contribution details, eligibility for benefits, claim status, etc. in their Mobile Handset. • National Career Service Project-(NCS): This project is being implemented by the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment. National Career Service (NCS) is a one-stop solution that provides a wide array of employment and career related services to the citizens of India. It works towards bridging the gap between jobseekers and employers, candidates seeking training and career guidance, agencies providing training and career counselling. • Various National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (NCSC-Das) and SC/STs are in operation.

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Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) • Under the scheme, Government of India is paying Employer’s full contribution i.e. 12% towards EPF and EPS both (as admissible from time to time) for a period of three years to the new employees through EPFO. • This scheme has a dual benefit, where, on the one hand, the employer is incentivised for increasing the employment base of workers in the establishment, and on the other hand, a large number of workers will find jobs in such establishments.

Insurance and pension Scheme These are vital to facilitate human development with demographic change. The problems faced by Europe and other developed countries will eventually be a burden for India as well if we do not take appropriate measures on time. Therefore, social security net is vital along with increased focus New social sector schemes for farmers and shopkeepers launched. Static dimensions: • Status of Social security in india • Social security schemes for unorganized sector Current dimensions: • New schemes launched • Need for such schemes Content: India’s social security schemes cover the following types of social insurances: • Pension • Health Insurance and Medical Benefit • Disability Benefit • Maternity Benefit • Gratuity While a great deal of the Indian population is in the unorganized sector and may not have an opportunity to participate in each of these schemes, Indian citizens in the organized sector and their employers are entitled to coverage under the above schemes. There are two major social security plans in India, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The EPFO runs a pension scheme and an insurance scheme. All of these are supposed to grant EPFO members and their family’s benefits for old age, disability, and support in case the primary breadwinner dies. The ESIC covers low-earning employees providing them with basic healthcare and social security schemes. Originally aimed at factory workers, the coverage was extended to include greater parts of the population, e.g. employees in hospitals or educational

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institutions. The ESI scheme has been implemented in all states excluding Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Social security schemes for unorganized sector:

In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector, the Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008. Some of the welfare schemes for unorganized workers stipulated under this act are:

1. The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Launched in 1995 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India that provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions.

2. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Launched in 2005, is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among the poor pregnant women.

3. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana aims at financially enabling the artisans’ community to access to the best healthcare facilities in the country. This scheme covers not only the artisans but his wife and two children also.

4. National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen aims at providing better living standards for fishermen and their families and social security for active fishers and their dependants.

5. Aam Admi Bima Yojana, launched in 2013, is a social security scheme aimed at unorganized sector workers aged between 18 and 59 years, which offers a cover of Rs 30,000.

6. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), launched in 2008, aims to provide health insurance coverage to the unrecognized sector workers belonging to the BPL category and their family members. It provides for inpatient medical care of up to ₹30,000 per family/year in public as well as empaneled private hospitals.

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Recently launched schemes

Atal Pension Yojna (APY)

• Under the APY, subscribers would receive a fixed minimum pension at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary on the age of joining the APY. • The Central Government would also co-contribute 50 percent of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, for a period of 5 years, who are not members of any statutory social security scheme and who are not Income Tax payers. • The pension would also be available to the spouse on the death of the subscriber and thereafter, the pension corpus would be returned to the nominee. • The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):

• Under PMJJBY, life insurance of Rs. 2 lakhs would be available on the payment of premium of Rs. 330 per annum by the subscribers. • The PMJJBY will be made available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account from where the premium would be collected through the facility of “auto- debit”.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):

• Under PMSBY, the risk coverage will be Rs. 2 lakhs for accidental death and full disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability on the payment of premium of Rs. 12 per annum. • The Scheme will be available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account, from where the premium would be collected through the facility of “auto-debit”.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN) Yojana: Under the scheme, the government has promised a direct payment of Rs. 6000 in three equal instalments of Rs. 2000 every four months into the Aadhar bank accounts of eligible landholding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) families.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana: • Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched a pension scheme for farmers from Ranchi, Jharkhand. • Under the scheme, farmers between 18 and 40 years of age will get Rs 3,000 monthly pension after reaching 60. • The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,774 crore for the next three years. • All small and marginal farmers (with less than 2 hectares) who are currently between 18

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to 40 years can apply for the scheme. • Registration for the farmers’ pension scheme was started on August 9,2019. • Life Insurance of India (LIC) has been appointed insurer for this scheme. • The farmers will have to make a monthly contribution of Rs 55-200, depending on the age of entry, in the pension fund till they reach the retirement date. • This is an optional scheme. • The government started registrations for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) on August 9,2019. • The enrolment for the voluntary scheme is being done through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) located across the country. • No fee is charged for registration under the scheme. • The Centre pays Rs 30 to CSC for every enrolment to ensure that the scheme witnesses maximum coverage.

Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Mandhan Yojana, 2019: • The new scheme that offers pension coverage to the trading community was launched from Jharkhand. • Under the scheme, all shopkeepers, retail traders and self- employed persons are assured a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3,000/- month after attaining the age of 60 years. • All small shopkeepers and self-employed persons as well as the retail traders with GST turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore and age between 18-40 years, can enroll for this scheme. • The scheme would benefit more than 3 crore small shopkeepers and traders. • The scheme is based on self-declaration as no documents are required except Aadhaar and bank account. • Interested persons can enroll through CSCs across the country. • To be eligible, the applicants should not be covered under the National Pension Scheme, Employees’ State Insurance Scheme and the Employees’ Provident Fund or be an Income Tax assessed. • The Central Government will make matching contribution (same amount as subscriber contribution) i.e. equal amount as subsidy into subscriber’s pension account every month. • Five crore traders are expected to join the scheme in the next three years. PMJDY - To provide 'universal access to banking facilities' starting with "Basic Saving Bank Account" with an overdraft up to Rs.5000 subject to satisfactory operation in the account for six months and Repays Debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh Jan Suraksha Bima Yojana – Provides accident insurance; linked to PMJDY Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema – Provides a life insurance policy which gives a sum of Rs. 2 lakhs to the family fot he policy holder after his/her death. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana – To provide physical aids and assisted living devices to the elderly

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The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, (PWDA) and Rights

of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has provisions of preventive social security measures – • Pre-natal and post-natal care for the mother and child • Unemployment allowance and insurance • Right of disabled people to lead independent lives • Protection from all kinds of violence

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) – Opportunities for the differently abled persons in the field of education and employment are provided by way of providing financial assistance in the form of Grant-in-Aid to NGOs. The major components of the scheme are: - • Vocational Training Centers, • Sheltered Workshop • Special Schools • Project for Pre-School and Early Intervention and Training

Swadesh Darshan or PRASAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Schemes –

• State Government/Union Territory Administration has to submit an undertaking in the specified format stating that ‘barrier free environment for differently abled tourists has been incorporated in the design of the built-up areas of the project’. • Award of Excellence for Most Barrier- Free Monument/Tourist Attraction in the country has been instituted to encourage the agencies responsible for maintaining monuments/tourist attractions to create barrier- free environment for the promotion of accessible tourism. • The condition of making the hotels accessible for people with different abilities by providing facilities like dedicated room with attached bathroom, designated parking, ramps, free accessibility in public areas and at least one restaurant, designated toilet (unisex) at the lobby level, etc. have been included in the guidelines GST exemption for products used by differently abled people - Specified assistive devices, rehabilitation aids and other goods for differently abled people will attract the lowest (non- Nil) GST rate of 5%. The way ahead: • All the provisions under the Bill should be made applicable to the private sector to enable the provision of education and reservation of jobs for persons with disabilities • Though the Bill has ushered in a new wave of advocacy and activism, governments at the Centre and in states need to focus on how to reach out to persons with disabilities in

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rural India. Sufficient financial allocation and strict monitoring of the PWDA’s implementation can empower the disabled in far-flung areas as well • Limiting the disabilities to a list shouldn’t be the way ahead and thus, a rights-based model needs to be worked out and their effective participation should be ensured in the society

Social Security in Education

• Academic and anecdotal literature is replete with instances of the failure of benefits reaching the intended. Many attempts have been undertaken to fix the system and one such among them is making biometrics mandatory for a child to receive a mid-day meal in school. • To access education, children of vulnerable backgrounds, require some forms of social security, but education itself is also a form of social security against future vulnerabilities. • However, teaching on hungry stomachs is unlikely to lead to learning. Therefore, mid-day meals in schools address the twin objectives of improving nutrition, as well as enabling children to come to school and remain there throughout the day.

Social Security for the Unorganised Sector in India In India – • About 84% of workers are in the ‘unorganized’ or ‘informal’ sector • More than 90% are involved in informal employment • 97% - Self-employed • 78% - Casual laborers However, a large majority of workforce (most of the poor) in this sector is devoid of any formal social security protection. Lack of social protection reduces productivity, and is an important cause of households incurring debt due to out-of- pocket expenses in times of illness. Challenges of the current Social Security Administration in the country – • Multiplicity of policies, schemes and agencies • Poor coverage and outreach • Inadequate benefits • Fragmentation • Poor quality of implementation (and selection) • High costs • Exclusion of large sections particularly unorganized sector workers

Domestic Workers in India: NSSO Data: • Around 3.9 million domestic workers in India, belonging to vulnerable communities – Adivasis, Dalits or landless OBCs • Women constitute over two-thirds of the workforce in this unorganized sector

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• Domestic workers can be hired and fired at will as the employer has no legally binding obligations. • Neither the Maternity Benefits Act nor the Minimum Wages Act or any of the scores of other labour laws apply to domestic work Background of legislations associated with Domestic Workers:

‘Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act’ - In 2010, the National Commission for Women had drafted the ‘Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act’ to help address complaints about unpaid wages, starvation, inhumane work hours and verbal, physical and sexual abuse. The proposed law was meant for domestic workers above 18 years of age and clearly stated that no child shall be employed as a domestic worker. (But the draft remained a proposal.) International Labour Organization (ILO’s) Convention 189 • In 2011, the International Labour Organization adopted Convention 189 which “offers specific protection to domestic workers. It lays down the basic rights and principles, and requires States to take a series of measures with a view to making decent work a reality for domestic workers”. (India voted in favor of the convention, but is yet to ratify it.) • Ratifying an international convention amounts to a formal commitment to implement all the obligations, including passing of comprehensive legislation for domestic workers.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) • The same year (in 2011), the government made a half- hearted effort by including domestic workers in the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) – a smart card based cashless health insurance scheme. But there was a catch. Only registered domestic workers could avail the cover of up to Rs 30,000 cover. • To register, a domestic worker would have to get certificates from two of four listed institutions – the employer, the police, the resident welfare association, or recognized trade unions.

Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace

• India has only two laws that, in a roundabout way, construe domestic helps as workers. • The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 (UWSSA) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 – include domestic workers, but does not address their specific vulnerabilities. • While the former is a social welfare scheme, the latter is aims to protect working women in general. Neither of these recognizes domestic helps as rights-bearing workers. The way ahead: There is a necessary pre-condition for a National Policy for Domestic Workers and enacting a Domestic Workers (Regulation of Work and Social Security) Act which –

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• Calls for promoting awareness of domestic work as a “legitimate labour market activity” • Recommends amending existing labour laws to ensure that domestic workers enjoy all the labour rights that other workers do • Calls for the compulsory registration of the employer and the employee with the District Board for regulation of domestic workers • Mandates the collection of cess from the employer for the maintenance of a social security fund for domestic workers Moreover, the most important thing is to change the mind-set of the society which is the root cause of such discriminatory and abusive attitude towards the domestic workers.

Pension for all According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, the retirement savings gap in India is estimated to escalate to $85 trillion by 2050. And as most people in India do not have any kind of insurance and, as the population ages, it will also be pension less. The retirement savings gap will not only affect the quality of life of retirees, but can also pose macroeconomic challenges. As the proportion of retirees rises in the population, a shortfall in retirement income will affect consumption and growth. It will also affect fiscal sustainability as governments will have to spend more on retirees even in countries that do not have a state-funded retirement system.

What is NPS? NPS (National Pension System) is a defined contribution-based Pension Scheme launched by Government of India with the following objectives- • To provide old age income • Reasonable market-based returns over long run • Extending old age security coverage to all citizens It is based on a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) which is allotted to each Subscriber upon joining NPS. What is required? In order to improve financial security, the policymakers should focus on three key areas— • Providing a safety- net pension for all. • Improving access to retirement plans • Encouraging initiatives to increase the rate of contribution. It should be the responsibility of the government to provide a pension income for all citizens that acts as a ‘safety net’ and prevents those who miss out on other forms of pension provision from dropping below the poverty line. Challenges: • Fiscal constraints. The biggest problem for India is that about 90% of the workforce is in the unorganized sector and lacks proper access to retirement-saving instruments.

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• The pension challenge in India will be fairly acute. According to the UN Population Division, the share of population aged 60 or above will rise to 19% by 2050, compared with 8% in 2010. • Even those who are investing may not be aware how much money they will need after retirement and what it takes to attain that goal. People generally lack the ability to make complex calculations and give more importance to their near-term needs than a longer-term requirement like retirement saving. Steps taken by government: • A pension regulator was established in 2003. • New government employees (except in the armed forces) have been moved to a defined contribution-based National Pension System (NPS) from 2004. • The NPS was opened to all citizens on a voluntary basis in 2009 and the government offers tax benefits to contributors. • Budget 2014-15 had announced such a scheme, post which Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) had launched its single premium Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana. That scheme collected over R7,000 crore and offered lifelong pension at 9.3% per annum, providing monthly pension of R500-5,000. • Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, in his 2015 budget speech, announced steps for creating a social security system. This included insurance and pension schemes, mostly for the underprivileged segments of society. Recent developments: • A new Rs 5,000-crore pension formula is in process. It is expected to benefit more than five million central government employees. The new formula will calculate pension based on the latest drawn salary for a particular post. • The new method was fixed by an empowered committee of secretaries (Ecos) headed by secretary (pensions). • The seventh pay commission recommended that pension could be calculated by two methods: • Pension would be 50% of the last salary and multiplied by 2.57. • An incremental method where pension was fixed at the last salary drawn with adjustments of increments drawn in that particular pay band. However, the incremental method was found to have lacunae as 20% of records were found to be missing in various government departments, and officials felt this could lead to litigation in future. To avoid legal hurdles, the Ecos came up with the pay fixation method. What more needs to be done? • Creating awareness: Both the government and the makers of retirement products must place adequate emphasis on spreading awareness. • The pension products must be simple and easily available. • Technology can play a big role in making products available to savers. • In India, generating more employment in the formal sector will help address the problem to some extent. • As the government lack fiscal space, we will need to work on increasing retirement savings. Mobilizing savings for retirement could be a big opportunity as it would provide

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long-term solution.

Health for All • India’s health system mirrors the iniquitous nature of development that has taken place in the country. • High income and wealth inequality have resulted in a skewed pattern of health care oriented towards secondary, tertiary level curative services, leading to neglect of the more basic preventive and primary care services needed for the poor to survive. • Income and wealth disparities are also reflected in the sharply differing health outcomes across rural and urban areas, states and social groups. • Universal health coverage remains an unfinished agenda with basic indicators of health in India continuing to be below those of low-income countries such as Bangladesh. • In 2015, health inequality resulted in a loss of 24% of India’s health index value as per the Inequality adjusted Human Development Index computed by the UNDP. • Unlike education, Health for All has never been an important electoral issue, though the potential for electoral gains are evident as in the case of Andhra Pradesh. • The general political apathy towards the health sector is also reflected in low budgetary allocations, with public spending accounting for not more than 1.5% of GDP over the last decade despite impressive economic growth. • This has meant that 75% of health care costs are financed by out of pocket expenses which push a large number below the poverty line.

Health Insurance in India

• Countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Indonesia and Thailand, all characterized earlier by situations of high inequality and uneven access to health care systems, have revamped policies since 1980s towards universal health care. • They also indicate that strengthening of the primary health care system is a prerequisite for achieving universal health coverage. • However, in India none of the central or state level insurance schemes cover primary care in the insurance package, with the exception of Meghalaya that provides partial coverage. All the schemes focus on secondary and/or tertiary care. Way Forward • India’s new National Health Policy 2017 signifies a paradigm shift in government policy toward comprehensive primary health care and is significant for two reasons: • It defines health in terms of wellness rather than as absence of disease. • It brings focus back on primary care and accords a key role to the public sector. • Public-private partnerships are being relied upon as a way out of the financial crunch. Unless carefully designed it leads to enriching the private sector at the expense of liberal public subsidies. • International experience shows that health insurance can function when the basic health infrastructure is in place and this is a function that the government alone can perform. • Strengthening the healthcare delivery system would require 1 to 1.5 percent of GDP as capital investment to ensure adequate health infrastructure, with another 1% of GDP to provide free universal access to comprehensive primary care, secondary and select set of tertiary conditions for 60% of the population.

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• Additionally, at least 2% of GDP would be required for supporting infrastructure like public sanitation, waste disposal, nutrition and housing. • Achieving universal health coverage is listed as goal 3.8 in the SDGs agenda for 2030. India’s performance holds the key to achieving this global aspiration. • The Government of India’s implementation of the National Health Policy 2017 in letter and spirit is crucial for ensuring health security for all by 2030.

Empowering the Differently Abled • Traditionally the family has been the informal social security system in India. In joint family system, members of the family were taking responsibility for those who were in need. • The impact of industrial revolution, modernization and urbanization and job opportunities in cities, lead to the breakdown of joint family systems and disturbed the social security. Therefore, the state has to take steps to protect its citizens. • Article 43 of the Indian constitution speaks of state’s responsibility to provide social security to its citizens. • Article 14 guarantees that no person shall be denied equality before the law. • Article 41: state shall make effective provisions for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. Social Security Schemes • Promotional social security schemes are providing assistance to the people with disabilities by undertaking various programmes by state and central government to promote health, education, rehabilitation services, and reservation so as to enable them to participate in social and economic activities. • In order to recognize their effort, separate awards are being presented to the outstanding employees with disabilities, best employers, role models, outstanding creative disabled individuals and outstanding technological innovation and adaptation of innovation to provide cost effective technology. Challenges and Way Forward • Most developmental programmes in India are not accessible to differently abled people mostly because of social or physical barriers that surround them. • Lack of information dissemination and absence of single window approach often make the differently abled people unaware of what benefits and schemes are available to them. • There is neither a uniform benefit formula nor is there any single agency that administers or guides the programme. • Multiplicity of departments or agencies looking after disability benefits need to be integrated together to have comprehensive programme design and implementation policy under one umbrella with a chief executive officer. • There is a need to plan and design inclusive strategies by understanding dynamics of disability. The first step would be collected detailed data on them. • Comprehensive administrative arrangements, pooling the funds from various sources and delivering the benefit under professional supervision and control are important steps

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to be taken immediately. • In addition, more resources from local, state, national and international agencies, government and non-government organizations need to be mobilized in order to reach the benefits to differently abled people.

Securing Farmer’s Welfare: Reality to Vision • Renaming Ministry of Agriculture as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 was recognition that agriculture is not just about producing more food but also about a vision that producers will live a life comparable with other sections of the society. • In India’s agricultural growth story, large sections of primary producing farmers remained deprived and disenchanted. Not only do farm incomes tend low, some of the worst victims of economic uncertainty are farmers. • A survey of 2003-04 conveyed that 40% of agricultural households would take up a different occupation if given a choice (NSSO, 2005). • Later the same survey showed that even to meet their meagre consumption needs, agricultural households needed to supplement their income from cultivation with other sources (NSSO, 2014). Farmers Income and Vulnerability • Farmer’s income gained interest in the wake of reports of farmer’s distress and the prime minister’s speech about doubling food producer’s income by 2022. • Farm income depends on number of factors. Productivity, especially of land, is regarded as the key to higher earnings. • Improvements in technology and practices enhance production and efficiency. • Agro-climatic diversity of India is well known but in a federal setup, policy, infrastructure and institutions differ among states. • Crop cultivation is therefore more remunerative in some parts of the country than others owing to natural, demographic and administrative differences. • Monsoon failures can impair not only current production but their effects can spillover to subsequent seasons via water levels in reservoirs, rivers, canals, wells and soils. • Excess or untimely rainfall is a threat too. Floods can be devastating. • Price movements too cause vulnerability. • Raising MSP encourages farmers to grow enough food and keep prices remunerative and stable, but only if government can procure adequately. • The bumper harvest of 2016-17 brought prices of pulses down in spite of raised MSP. • Demand fluctuations and global competition may further intensify price uncertainties with the opening up of markets. Farmers’ Welfare: Emerging Ways • For many years the key instruments of India’s agricultural development like supply of improved seeds, fertilizer subsidies, cheap energy and concessional credit and public procurement of grains at MSP addressed farm production. • Crop insurance can be a critical protection against climate change. The nation’s satellite and meteorological capabilities are strengthened to generate early and reliable alerts. • Storage and distribution systems, now facing supervisory and budgetary challenges, determine the effectiveness of government intervention to control price.

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• Many rural development schemes now help to improve the living standards of farmers through subsidies or investments addressing livelihood (NRLM), price discovery (eNAM), social assistance (NSAP), housing (IAY), road development (PMGSY) and health (NRHM). Conclusion • State is the natural custodian of farmer’s social security as much as people’s food security. • Protecting them against natural risk, creating infrastructure and social amenities remain government’s onus, but the taxpaying citizens and private sector need to join as stake holders. • In the long run ahead, agriculture is envisioned to grow as an enterprise, more integrated with other growing sectors that help to ease pressure on land for livelihood.

Social Security: Global Scenario • The concept of social security has been captured in Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which pronounced that “Everyone, as a member of society has the right to social security through national effort and international cooperation”. • Germany is often considered a pioneer in social security mechanism where a series of initiatives were started during the then German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. • The government of UK had set up the first unified social security system immediately after the World War II. • The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations repeatedly promoted social security in international laws and conventions. International Experience: Learning • Social security mechanisms have widely been recognized as a shock absorber and a step towards protecting people against vulnerabilities, bridging societal inequalities, ending poverty and hunger, strengthening human dignity and democracy. • A report published by ILO in 2014 estimated that only 27% of the world’s population has access to comprehensive social security. • There are challenges associated with social security initiatives and two such challenges are sustainability and universalization. • Only few countries could make the schemes almost universal. The challenge is in low- and middle-income countries. • The identification of the target population remains a major programmatic challenge. • It is imperative that there is political attention on expansion of coverage of these schemes on regular basis. • As the life expectancy is increasing and the working population which would reach retirement age, the ratio of retirement costs to the GDP will continue to increase in the years ahead, which would add the cost to social security initiatives. • Thus, the national governments have to do their fiscal planning to ensure that social security measures are not adversely affected by the changing demographics. • It has been noted that countries with explicit mention for social security provisions in their constitution are far ahead in implementation of such measures than others.

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Protecting the Unprotected i.e. Unorganized sector • Social security is a prerequisite for a just and equitable society. The right to social security is a human right and according to Universal Declaration of Human Rights, access to social security is a basic right. Unorganised sector in India • Major part of the unorganized sector is left uncovered by social security system. • As per the estimates of the 68th round of NSSO, about 84% of the workers are in unorganized sector. • A large majority of workforce in this sector is devoid of any formal social security protection for ill-health, accidents/death and old age. • Therefore, inclusive growth cannot have much meaning without some minimum safety net for the workers in unorganized sector.

Systematic Reforms in MGNREGA • India is at a very crucial phase of developmental process, between growth and prosperity on one hand and social welfare on the other. • MGNREGA has been a veritable platform providing social protection to rural populace in terms of livelihood. The programme aims at contributing to rural infrastructure development and other land works in the rural areas. Resolving Agricultural Distress • The government has strategically shifted its focus on leveraging MGNREGA’s potential in effectively addressing agrarian crises and farmer distress. • Emphasis on works related to drought proofing, flood control, micro irrigation, water conservation and renovation of traditional water resources. Convergence for Agricultural Productivity • Rural development ministry has largely worked upon converging Natural Resource Management (NRM) related works under MGNREGA along with Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). • Mihir Shah Committee in 2013 mentioned inclusion of new works under MGNREGA for better agricultural productivity and sustainable asset creation. Capacity Building • The government has initiated several schemes to impart skills to workers both in agriculture related activities and other fields. • Project-LIFE under MGNREGA was mooted by the government to develop skills among the workers and their families. • There is significant thrust on Agri related skills and the youth have shown preference for agriculture related works in comparison to other fields. Financial Streamlining

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• The DBT platform, combined with the biometric-based UID program Aadhaar, effectively combats financial leakages through middlemen and also eliminates the possibility of duplicity in records. • This is a positive development towards greater transparency as it would ensure that the payments reach the rightful beneficiaries. Impact Assessment Framework • The impact assessment framework implemented from 2015-16 records expected outcomes and actual outcomes of works undertaken. • The practice is aimed at improving the quality and productivity of assets created and to also create an accountability structure.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) encourages organizations to protect the interests of communities by taking responsibility for the impact they are creating on people, planet and profits. • India has become the maiden country in the world with legislated CSR provisions. • With increased GDP and subsequently increased profits, this mandatory spending will increase. CSR – the Harbinger for Empowerment • Empowerment of the marginalized is the key responsibility of the government, but corporate sector initiatives are required for scale, speed and creating best practices for others to emulate. • Businesses concentrate on a particular community where they are located, so it is easier for them to understand the issues, challenges, and opportunities for the marginalized that can be garnered through CSR projects. • The inclusive growth mantra – Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas can be realized only by creating linkages in the development models of private and public sector. • The state budget for people’s welfare is insufficient to meet the increasing demands. Private sector participation is essential to meet the developmental goals of the marginalized. • Government flagship programmes like Make in India, Start-up India, Skill India and Digital India can be promoted by the CSR projects as these interventions make marginalized more educated and skillful and generate massive job opportunities. CSR Activities for Marginalized Sections • Skilling and Livelihood opportunities for the Differently Abled: • Persons with disability are more vulnerable to exclusions from the socio-economic domains as they have poor access to infrastructure, education and skill development. • Projects like providing literacy, vocational education and employability are the strategic CSR projects for persons with disability. • Self Help Groups and Micro Enterprises: • CSR projects facilitate livelihoods in rural areas by creating job opportunities without migration through SHGs and micro enterprises.

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• E-commerce ventures can provide market linkages to producers and artisans for online selling of their products. • Innovative CSR models in skills intervention for SHGs can increase their efficiency and outcomes. • Elderly Population: • The poor civic infrastructure poses a challenge for their healthcare, wellbeing and housing needs. • The new CSR amendment suggests setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens. • The inclusion of the CSR activities in the Schedule VII supplements the government’s efforts. • Slum Development • Inclusion of slum development in CSR activities is supplementing government’s efforts to make cities slum free. Conclusion • Innovative CSR projects are needed that are economically viable, scalable, and replicable in demographic context. • What is required is tapping of enormous resource pool and the organizational capacity of the corporate sector to design viable and innovative CSR projects. • Strategic CSR projects for the marginalized sections can assume much significant role in their social development.