Over 99,000 Unorganised Workers Enrolled Under PM-SYM Scheme in J&K
Srinagar, May 13 (PTK): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the progress achieved under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme (PM-SYM) across Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for expanding social security coverage among unorganised workers through intensified awareness and registration drives.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Labour Commissioner Charandeep Singh and other senior officers, while Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the Labour Department to intensify outreach efforts for registration of all eligible workers under the scheme so they can avail old-age pension benefits. He also asked the Labour Commissioner to furnish weekly district-wise progress reports on registrations.
Atal Dulloo said that schemes like PM-SYM, PM Kisan Maandhan and the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons provide important financial security to vulnerable sections associated with the unorganised sector. He also directed Deputy Commissioners to support registration drives in their respective districts for wider coverage.
Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar observed that Jammu and Kashmir has immense scope for successful implementation of such welfare schemes due to the large population engaged in the unorganised sector. He stressed the importance of creating mass awareness regarding the benefits of these pension initiatives.
Labour Commissioner Charandeep Singh informed the meeting that PM-SYM, launched in 2019 by the Government of India, provides old-age social security to unorganised workers including street vendors, construction labourers, domestic workers, agricultural labourers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and other low-income groups earning up to ₹15,000 per month.
He informed that a total of 99,722 unorganised workers have been registered under the scheme across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir so far. Srinagar recorded the highest registrations with 10,312 beneficiaries, followed by Poonch with 9,251 and Pulwama with 7,180 beneficiaries.
Officials further informed that 23,119 fresh registrations were achieved during a special enrolment drive launched in January 2026, reflecting nearly 30 percent growth within a short period. During the campaign, 637 special registration camps were organised in coordination with Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Common Service Centres across the Union Territory.
The meeting was informed that the scheme guarantees a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 years, with equal contribution from the Central Government matching the subscriber’s share. In case of death of the subscriber, the spouse is entitled to receive 50 percent of the pension as family pension.
Officials also revealed that male beneficiaries account for 50.16 percent of registrations while female beneficiaries constitute 49.84 percent, indicating near-equal participation under the scheme. The 26–35 years age group emerged as the largest category of subscribers.(PTK)
