Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Explained

Country:India
Ministry:Finance
Key People:Arun Jaitley
Current Status:Active

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY, translation: Prime Minister's Safety Insurance Scheme) is a government-backed accident insurance scheme in India. It was originally mentioned in the 2015 Budget speech by Finance Minister Late Arun Jaitley in February 2015.[1] It was formally launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 May in Kolkata.[2]

Provisions

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is available to people (Indian Resident or NRI) between 18 and 70 years of age with bank accounts. It has an annual premium of . Goods and Services Tax (GST) is exempted on Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. The amount is automatically debited from the account. This insurance scheme can have one year cover from 1 June to 31 May and is offered through banks. It is administered through public sector general insurance companies.[3]

FeatureDescription[4]
Scheme NamePradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
Announced onMay 9, 2015
CountryIndia
Initiated byPrime Minister Narendra Modi
BeneficiariesPoor and underprivileged individuals aged 18 to 70 years who have a savings bank account
ObjectiveTo provide accident insurance cover to the deprived population at an extremely affordable premium
Registration ProcessThe account holder can enroll by visiting the bank branch, through BC (Banking Correspondent), or via BOB World Internet (Internet Banking)
Official WebsiteNational Insurance Company Limited National Insurance Company Limited: https://nationalinsurance.nic.co.in/en/about-us/pradhan-mantri-suraksha-bima-yojana|-|Contact|18003450330|}In case of death or full disability, the payment to the nominee will be ₹2 Lakh and in case of partial permanent disability it would be ₹1 Lakh. Full disability has been defined as loss of use in both eyes, hands, or feet. Partial Permanent disability has been defined as loss of use in one eye, hand, or foot. Further, death due to suicide, alcohol, drug abuse, etc., are not covered. A person joined under this scheme is eligible for a claim only after 45 days of joining the scheme.

This scheme is linked to the bank accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme. Most of these accounts had zero balance initially. The government aims to reduce the number of such zero balance accounts by using this and related schemes.[5] Now, all bank account holders can avail this facility through their net-banking service facility at any time of the year.[6] [7] The policy will be canceled if there is no balance in the account. The policy will lapse in case the bank account is closed. If you have multiple bank accounts, only one bank account can be linked to the scheme.[8]

Criticism

A rising loss ratio has forced general insurers to urge the government to hike the premium for the scheme.[11]

Results

As of 31 March 2019, 15.47 crore people have already enrolled for this scheme. 32,176 claims have been disbursed amounting to .[12]

In April 2017, Haryana Government announced that all Haryana residents in the age group of 18–70 years will be covered by PMSBY; the state government would reimburse the premium to the beneficiary.[13]

See also

References

]

Notes and References

  1. News: Jan Suraksha: Social security for masses, pricing woes for insurers. Reporter. B. S.. 2015-05-09. Business Standard India. 2020-01-31.
  2. Web site: Banks advertise Pradhan Mantri Bima Yojana ahead of the roll out. Vishwanathan. Vivina. 2015-05-08. Livemint. en. 2020-01-31.
  3. Web site: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)-accidental insurance. revexpo.com. en-US. 2020-01-31.
  4. Web site: Anik . Kumar . 2024-04-04 . Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana . Sabka yojana.
  5. News: 'Jan Suraksha schemes to help eliminate Jan Dhan's zero balance accounts'. 9 May 2015. Business Standard. 8 May 2015.
  6. News: 'Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana: Accidental death, disability cover@Rs 20 p.a . 21 October 2022.
  7. Web site: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana: Accidental death, disability cover @ Rs 12 p.a. 22 September 2016. Economic Times. 22 September 2016.
  8. Web site: 2023-07-28 . pradhan mantri suraksha bima yojana in 20 rupees premium . 2024-04-03 . Prabhat Khabar . en-US.
  9. https://sbi.co.in/documents/13958/10990811/180821-Ecowrap_20210818.pdf/3fdd5e1a-0987-3890-2ba2-ec3e52038846?t=1629267503023
  10. https://affairscloud.com/government-of-india-hikes-premium-rates-for-flagship-insurance-schemes-pmjjby-pmsby-for-the-first-time-in-7-years/
  11. Web site: State-run insurers seek to increase PMSBY premium. The Financial Express (India). 22 April 2017.
  12. Web site: Telling Numbers: Enrolment and claims in flagship life, accident insurance schemes. Jan Suraksha. 30 April 2017.
  13. News: Haryana extends accidental insurance cover to all residents. The Times of India. 19 April 2017 . 22 April 2017.