Lok Sabha Question No. 1049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1049

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME FOR TRADERS AND SELF-EMPLOYED

## PERSONS

## 1049. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)the  details  of  the  progress  made  so  far  by  the  Government  in implementing  the  National  Pension  Scheme  for  Traders  and  SelfEmployed Persons, particularly in terms of number of beneficiaries enrolled and total amount of funds collected under the Scheme;
- (b)the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase self-employed
- awareness and enrollment among traders and individuals in rural and urban areas; and
- (c)the  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  any challenges  or  grievances  faced  by  the  beneficiaries  under  the Scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a) to (c): The National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons  was  launched  in  September,  2019.  This  is  a  voluntary  and contributory pension scheme for providing a monthly assured pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years to the traders, shopkeepers and self-employed persons. The traders, shopkeepers and self-employed persons in  the  age  group  of  18-40  years  with  an  annual  turnover  not exceeding  Rs.  1.5  crore  and  not  members  of  EPFO/ESIC/NPS  (Govt. funded)/PM-SYM or not an income-tax assessee, are eligible to join the scheme. The monthly contribution amount by beneficiary ranges from Rs. 55/- to Rs. 200/- depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary and equal matching  contribution  is  paid  by  the  Central  Government. Enrolment to the scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, with its network of about 4 lakh Centres across the country. In addition, eligible people can also self-enroll through visiting the portal www.maandhan.in.  The  number  of  beneficiaries  enrolled  under  this scheme as on 31.12.2024 are 58,453. The corpus of this scheme is about Rs. 79 crore as on 31.12.2024.

The measures taken by the Government to increase awareness and enrollment among traders and self-employed individuals in rural and urban areas include following:

- (i) holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs.
- (ii) regular meeting with state Common Services Centre (CSC) heads.
- (iii) launch of new features such as Voluntary Exit, Revival Module, Claim Status and Account Statement.
- (iv)  communication  with  Chief  Secretaries  of  States/UTs  regarding enrolment under this scheme.
- (v)  Interaction  with  Department  of  Financial  Services,  Pension  Fund Regulatory  and  Development  Authority,  National  Institute  of  Public Finance and Policy to increase the outreach of the pension scheme.

Steps taken to address the challenges or grievances faced by the beneficiaries under this scheme include extension of revival of dormant  accounts  from  1  year  to  3  years,  regular  reviewing  of grievances.

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