Page 192 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE164

4.110 The social security programmes in Kerala can be grouped into two: - A. Institutional Care and
B. Social Assistance Programmes.

A. Institutional Care

4.111 There are 74 welfare institutions under the aegis of SJD for the care and protection of the
vulnerable groups. Out of this, 28 institutions are for children, 17 for women, 11 for aged people and 18
for disabled. About 2800 persons benefited in 2013 through the network of these 74 institutions. Apart
from this, 2141 different registered welfare institutions run by N.G.Os and voluntary organizations
benefited 134142 persons. Of which, 27034 were old people, 1163 women, 12944 disabled, 1005
abandoned children, 82751 orphaned children, 706 beggars and 8539 others respectively. The
district wise coverage of beneficiaries in major welfare institutions run by SJD during 2013-14 is
given in Appendix 4.64 and that of registered welfare institutions in Appendix 4.65

B. Social Assistance Programmes

4.112 Social assistance programmes comprises of a series of social security pension schemes and
other welfare schemes. Review of various social assistance programmes are listed below.

Pension Schemes

4.113 The major pension schemes implemented in the state are: Agriculture labour pension, Indira
Gandhi National Old Age pension, pension for disabled, pension for unmarried women above 50
years and widow pension. During 2013-14, the total no. of pensioners except agriculture labour
pensioners was about 15.61 lakh which shows an increase of nearly 1 percent from 2012-13. The
highest category is of widow pensioners. The district wise coverage of major pension schemes is
presented in Appendix4.66

Social Security and Welfare to Unorganized Sectors

4.114 Social security coverage to workers in the unorganized sectors is given through the Welfare
Fund Boards (WFBs). In 2013, out of the 33 Welfare Fund Boards, 16 are under the direct control
of the Labour department. The total members enrolled in these boards were about 48.72 lakh of
which 53 percent were from agriculture sector including fisheries and dairy. A clear perception and
reformation is essential to many of the existing schemes run by various boards to improve their
delivery mechanism in a cost effective way. Details of workers enrolled in the WFBs are shown in
Appendix 4.67

Welfare of Senior Citizens

4.115 Kerala has the largest proportion of senior citizens (people aged 60+ years) in its population.
As per 2011 census, it is assessed as 12.56 percent, and expected to reach 23 percent by 2026.
Among the total population of senior citizens, the share of female senior citizens is about 55 percent
and the widows outnumbered the non-widows. The state has the highest Old Age Dependency Ratio
(the number of persons in the Old Age group (60+ years) per 1000 persons in the age group 15-59),
while Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the lowest. State-wise old age dependency ratio by residence is
available in www.censusindia.gov.in.

Kerala State Planning Board