Context:

• The Haryana Mukhyamantri Kisan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jiwan Suraksha Yojana is a pivotal welfare initiative aimed at providing financial security to farmers and agricultural laborers in the state of Haryana.

Key Points:

• This scheme is designed to offer critical support to agricultural workers in the unfortunate event of accidental death or disability while engaged in agricultural activities. The initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of those who form the backbone of the agricultural sector.

Key objectives and significance

The primary objectives of the Haryana Mukhyamantri Kisan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jiwan Suraksha Yojana are as follows:

• Financial protection: The scheme aims to provide a safety net for farmers and agricultural laborers, ensuring that they and their families are financially protected in the event of accidents.
   
• Comprehensive coverage: It offers extensive coverage for work-related accidents, addressing the unique risks associated with agricultural work.
   
• Economic support: The initiative seeks to ensure economic stability for vulnerable agricultural workers and their families, thereby contributing to the overall welfare of the agricultural community.

Financial assistance framework

The scheme delineates a structured financial assistance framework based on the severity of the accident. The financial assistance provided is as follows:

This tiered approach ensures that the level of financial support corresponds to the gravity of the incident, thereby providing adequate relief to the affected individuals and their families.

Recent developments

In a significant policy shift, the Haryana government has recently removed age restrictions for beneficiaries of the scheme. Previously, the scheme was limited to individuals aged between 10 to 65 years. The revised policy now extends coverage to:

• Children younger than 10 years
• Persons older than 65 years

This change reflects a more inclusive approach, recognizing the diverse demographics involved in agricultural work.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the benefits under this scheme, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Residency: Must be a resident of Haryana.
   
• Engagement in agricultural work: Must be actively engaged in agricultural activities.
   
• Accident circumstances: The accident must occur during specific agricultural activities as outlined by the scheme.