The Hindu Business Line : Govt clears job scheme for disabled in pvt sector

New Delhi, Jan. 17 With shrinking employment opportunities in the state sector, the Government on Thursday cleared a Rs 1,800-crore scheme aimed at encouraging the private sector to employ persons with disabilities.

The go-ahead for the scheme, entailing payment by the Centre towards employers’ contribution to the Employees’ Provident Fund and the Employees’ State Insurance, was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The decision would involve an outlay of Rs 1,800 crore by the Government during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr P.R. Dasmunsi, told reporters after the CCEA meeting.

“Employment opportunities in the Government have been shrinking over the years. Therefore, it has become necessary that employment opportunities for the persons with disabilities are created in the private sector by giving incentives to the employers,” he said. The scheme is applicable to the disabled employees drawing salary of up to Rs 25,000 per month, Mr Dasmunsi said.

Under the scheme, the Centre’s contribution in the EPF and ESI will be restricted to a period of three years. However, the administrative charges of 1.1 per cent of the wages for EPF will have to be borne by the employer.

Mr Dasmunsi said the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would make available the funds to the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation by way of advance. Initially, both the organisations would be provided Rs 5 crore each and considering the requirement, the amount would be subsequently enhanced, he said.

In order to monitor the scheme, a high-level committee, co-chaired by the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Social Justice and Empowerment would be constituted.