The Central Government has launched the e-Shram scheme to provide social security to crores of workers in the country, and people are benefiting greatly from it. Union Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed Parliament that over 30.98 crore unorganized workers have been registered on the e-Shram portal. e-Shram is a one-stop solution that integrates various social security schemes into a single portal. It ensures easy access to government schemes for registered unorganized workers. Workers registered on this excellent portal are issued e-Shram cards.
Who can obtain an e-Shram card
There are certain eligibility criteria and requirements for obtaining an e-Shram card. Any Indian citizen between the ages of 16 and 59 and working in the unorganized sector can register for this scheme. To avail the benefits, applicants must visit the official website of the e-Shram portal, eshram.gov.in.
Categories of Unorganized Workers
Unorganized workers include shop assistants/vendors/helpers, auto drivers, drivers, puncture repairers, shepherds, dairy farmers, all livestock keepers, newspaper vendors (hawkers), delivery boys for Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, and Flipkart, and brick kiln workers. All of these individuals can obtain an e-Shram card.
Excellent Benefits and Insurance Protection of the e-Shram Card
The biggest benefit to e-Shram cardholders is accident insurance. Workers registered on the e-Shram portal are provided with accident insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh. This simply means that in case of death or permanent disability due to an accident, a compensation of ₹2 lakh is provided. In case of partial disability, a compensation of ₹1 lakh is provided.
Benefits of 14 Government Schemes
E-Shram cardholders are eligible for benefits from at least 14 schemes run by various central ministries and departments. These schemes include important schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PMSHRM), the National Pension Scheme (NPS), the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). All these documents are already integrated with the e-Shram portal.
Online Application Process and Required Documents
Registering for an e-Shram card is very easy and can be completed online. To register online on the portal, you must have an Aadhaar card, a PAN card, a bank account number, and a mobile number. It is also essential that your Aadhaar number is linked to your Aadhaar card.
How to Apply Online
First, visit the official website of the e-Shram portal, eshram.gov.in. Click on the ‘Register on e-Shram’ option on the home page. When a new page opens, enter the required information. After completing the information, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar card. Enter it. A registration form will appear. Fill it out completely and upload the required documents. After uploading the documents, carefully check the form. Submit the form. Once the registration process is complete, you will be issued a 10-digit e-SHRAM card.