Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana has restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic

SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL

SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY

SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the  details  of  the  targets  and  timelines  under  the  Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY);

(b) the  progress  made  thus  far  in  respect  of  the  said  targets  and timelines;

(c) whether it is true that many employers and employees are deprived of the benefits under ABRY due to lack of awareness as well as complexities involved;

(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address these issues;

(e) whether the Government proposes to revise the eligibility conditions under ABRY to make it more streamlined; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

(a) to (f): The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was launched with effect from 1st October, 2020 to incentivize employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme was  intended to  benefit a  total of  71.80 lakh members. The terminal date for registration of beneficiaries was 31.03.2022 and the total registration under the scheme till the last date of registration is 75.11 lakh.

 

Every establishments/ New-employees registered under ABRY who were fulfilling the eligibility criteria were benefited under the scheme. As on 24.01.2023, benefits have been provided to 60.26 lakh beneficiaries through 1.51 lakh establishments.

Further, to increase awareness among employers and employees, following measures have been undertaken from time to time:

• Employers not registered under ABRY were informed through messages on EPFO’s Employer portal.
• Webinars conducted through Zonal & Regional offices of EPFO with employers / employer associations.
• Awareness via social media outreach.
• Targeted attempts made to educate/encourage the establishments which have fulfilled the required criteria in past, but have not registered under ABRY.
• SMS to employers to intimate the last date of registration under ABRY and to motivate them for registration.
• Publicity through creatives on website.

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