Over 99,000 Unorganised Workers Enrolled for Pension Under PM-SYM Scheme in J&K

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, May 13: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir and directed officials to intensify registration drives to expand social security coverage among unorganised workers.

The review meeting, held in Srinagar, was attended by senior officers including Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Labour Commissioner Charandeep Singh and other officials, while Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the Labour Department to make dedicated efforts to ensure registration of all eligible unorganised workers under the pension scheme. He also asked the Labour Commissioner to submit weekly district-wise progress reports on registrations and outreach activities.

Atal Dulloo said the scheme offered important social security benefits for workers engaged in the unorganised sector and highlighted the role of welfare schemes such as PM-SYM, PM Kisan Maandhan and the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons in ensuring financial security for vulnerable sections after retirement.

He also directed the Finance Department and district administrations to closely monitor implementation of the schemes and support efforts to increase registrations across all districts.

Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar said Jammu and Kashmir had significant potential for implementation of such welfare schemes due to the large number of people working in the unorganised sector. He stressed the need for greater awareness campaigns to encourage enrolment.

Labour Commissioner Charandeep Singh informed the meeting that 99,722 workers from the unorganised sector had been registered under the PM-SYM scheme across the Union Territory so far.

According to official data presented during the meeting, Srinagar recorded the highest number of registrations with 10,312 beneficiaries, followed by Poonch with 9,251 registrations and Pulwama with 7,180 beneficiaries.

Officials said 23,119 new registrations were achieved during a special enrolment drive launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in January 2026, resulting in nearly 30 per cent growth in registrations within a short period.

The meeting was informed that 637 special registration camps had been organised across Jammu and Kashmir in coordination with Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Common Service Centres as part of the outreach campaign.

Officials said the PM-SYM scheme guarantees a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 years, with matching contributions from the Central Government. In the event of the subscriber’s death, the spouse is entitled to receive 50 per cent of the pension as family pension.

The meeting also reviewed the demographic profile of beneficiaries, which showed near-equal participation by men and women. Male beneficiaries accounted for 50.16 per cent of registrations, while female beneficiaries constituted 49.84 per cent. The 26–35 age group emerged as the largest category of subscribers under the scheme.