Suresh Prabhu unveils GJEPC’s Parichay Card
Parichay
Card will benefit the
entire
gem & jewellery industry
Hon.
Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Aviation Suresh Prabhu launched
Parichay Card for gem & jewellery sector workers, artisans and craftsmen in
India – an initiative by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council
(GJEPC), the apex body of the gems &jewellery industry.
Suresh
Prabhu also launched the Domestic Council for Gems & Jewellery sector, at a
glittering function in the presence of Smt. Rupa Dutta (Economic Adviser,
Ministry of Commerce & Industry), Shri Pramod Kumar Agrawal (Convener,
National Ad-Hoc Committee, Domestic Council for Gems & Jewellery and
Chairman - Gem &Jewellery Export Promotion Council) and all the 14
representatives of the Ad-Hoc committee.
GJEPC
is already in final stages of talks with the Union Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) for national classification of gem
& jewellery sector workers/ craftsmen under LMIS (Labour Management
Information Systems). This segment-wise classification of workers, craftsmen
and artisans will provide additional benefits under relevant MoSDE schemes.
The
national launch of Parichay Card will benefit the entire gem & jewellery
industry and in order to ensure proper authentication for social security
purposes. The objective of this project is to create a verified and
well-crafted database for gem & jewellery workers to provide them better
job opportunities, help to find financial support from banks & financial
institutions and provide better healthcare services through specially designed
smart card.
This
card not only gives the workers a valid proof of their employment or identity
but also make them eligible for various initiatives. Along with the card, GJEPC
will also provide an optional health insurance cover ‘Swasthya Kosh’ for all
the Parichay card holders.
Mr.
Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Chairman, The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council
(GJEPC), said, “The $40 bn gem and jewellery industry, is heavily dependent on
the karigars, artisans and the craftsmen of India. Today India has become
global pioneer in the business of diamond processing, only because of this
extremely talented and skilled workforce. As a token of appreciation and with
the intention to give back to these precious jewels of the industry, the council
has come forward for the betterment of this workforce.”
Mr.
Agrawal also added, “The Swasthya Ratna Scheme received a phenomenal response
and several GJEPC member companies have taken this policy for their workers and
office staff. Currently it is in its third year of operations and till date it
has covered more than 4 lakh lives. It motivated us to do more for the industry
and hence we launched the Parichay Card.”
Mr.
Agrawal also acknowledged the phenomenal amount of contribution the workforce
delivers year after year to the gems and jewellery industry. “We feel proud of
the talented workforce of over 5 million craftsmans; artisans and karigars are
an integral part of the overall eco-system of gems and jewellery exports. As a
token of appreciation and to support and nurture the talent, this is a small
initiative from GJEPC,” he said.
Way
back in 2015, GJEPC had initiated a Group Mediclaim Scheme to provide health
insurance benefit to the entire work force of the Gems and Jewellery Industry
& their family members, the scheme named ‘Swasthya Ratna’. Under the scheme
all GJEPC member companies can enroll employees and their families. The primary
objective of launching this scheme all over India was to improve access of
identified workers and their families to quality medical care.
The
Council plans to integrate the benefits of the Swasthya Ratna policy to the
Parichay Card holders. All Parichay Card holders will be given a choice to opt
for a health insurance policy, assured of INR. 1,00,000 for themselves and
their family (Spouse and 2 Children) by paying just 25% cost for the premium.
The remaining 75% of the premium will be paid through a specially created, fund
called Swasthya Kosh.
GJEPC
has tied up with GJNRF (The Gem and Jewellery National Relief Foundation),
whereby anyone can donate into the fund and the proceeds go towards paying the
premiums of the policy. The scheme will also offer an 80G tax benefit to the
all the institutions who donate for this cause. GJEPC has roped in Edelweiss
Insurance Brokers who already manages the Swasthya Ratna Scheme along with the
Swasthya Kosh insurance brokers.
A
comprehensive health insurance policy-The premium for the policy is capped at
Rs. 1400 for self-cover and R. 2200 for family-cover. With 75% of the premium
being paid by GJEPC’s Swasthya Kosh, the discounted premiums are just Rs. 350
for self and Rs. 550 for family-cover.
Comments
Post a Comment