G-20 Labour ministers praise India's MGNREGS, RSBY schemes

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) Indian government's two flagship
programmes to combat rural unemployment and provide health
insurance cover on Thursday received appreciation from Labour
and Employment Ministers of G-20 countries, who showed keen
interest in the innovative schemes of inclusive growth.
Indian Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge made a
detailed presentation on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
at the G-20 Labour Ministers meeting here.
Following his presentation, US Labour Secretary Hilda
Solis said: "achievement of India is laudable as these schemes
had succeeded in reaching the masses in remote geographical
areas".
US hopes to learn from these innovative and dynamic
programmes in India, she said.
Instead of the normal time of ten minutes given for each
presentation, Kharge was given the floor for more than 30
minutes in view of the keen interest in the initiatives taken
by India to foster inclusive growth.
"We did hear a presentation about the successes and
implementation of these new efforts to create more jobs,
especially in those designated areas that were hardest hit, in
the rural areas, and the increase that we have seen over time
of those households that have been affected, and also a very
progressive plan in terms of health-care coverage and a very
ambitious plan to educate youngsters," Solis told reporters
after the meeting.
"I think that learning from each other about what
techniques work in different regions, in villages, was
something that all of us can take back to our respective
countries," she said in response to a question.
Kharge's presentation generated discussion among the
Labour Ministers who wanted to learn more about these two
schemes which had touched the lives of such a large number of
beneficiaries.
They were also interested in learning about how
technology was used to reach the rural masses in remote areas.
The Labour Ministers from other countries sought details
about the achievements under these schemes which were provided
by Indian delegation.
Praising India's achievement in implementing such
schemes, Brazilian Labour Minister Carlos Lupi said: "these
initiatives were specially worth replicating for large
countries with diverse populations."
Later, at a joint briefing, Kharge said all poor people,
who are below poverty line, would be covered under this scheme
and was going to help them greatly.
"I think the RSBY is a unique program initiated by our
Prime Minister. And he is responsible to spend nearly Rs 3,600
as a contribution. All the insurance companies will spend the
money. And this is the first time in India below-poverty-line
people were covered under the Yojana," he said. PTI LKJ
MYR