71. I believe that the Social Security cover needs to be widened to minimize the miseries of our people below the poverty line. Accordingly, I propose to introduce two more schemes during the next financial year:

(i) A special scheme for landless agricultural labourers, the Khetihar Mazdoor Bima Yojana, which will provide benefits of insurance cover as available under Janashree Bima Yojana and a pension of Rs 100 per month, to the beneficiary on attaining the age of 60 years. In the case of beneficiaries who join the scheme at a young age, some periodical payments at the end of every ten years are also envisaged. The beneficiaries will be required to make a small contribution towards the premium.

(ii) A Shiksha Sahyog Yojana, to provide an education allowance of Rs 100 per month to the children of parents living below the poverty line, to meet the expenses of education during their studies from 9th to 12th standard, so that a needy student is not deprived of the opportunity to continue his/her education for want of funds. This will be available to subscribers of the Janashree Bima Yojana.