With elections nine months down the line, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is keen to expedite measures targeted at the aam admi. He has now sought the setting up of a inter-ministerial group (IMG) to draw a social welfare blueprint for India’s 340 million unorganised workers.

Taking serious note of the various recommendations of National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS), the Prime Minister is keen that the IMG determine specific action points that can be considered by the government and implemented in a time-bound manner.

Some of the key action points could be providing for a national fund for the unorganised sector, focus on skills development and social security measures, senior government officials said. The government has already decided to re-introduce the modified Social Security Bill in the next session of Parliament.

To identify action points, the group will examine the various reports of the NCEUS that had been submitted to the Prime Minister earlier. These include reports on financing of enterprises in the unorganised sector and creation of a national fund. Besides, identifying action points, the group has been directed to determine time-bound modalities for their implementation.

Speaking to The Indian Express, NCEUS chairman Arjun Sengupta confirmed the development. “The formation of an IMG will provide for a structured way of looking at various reports submitted by NCEUS to the Prime Minister. These reports will be considered carefully by the IMG and action will be taken on key recommendations thereafter,” said Sengupta.

Additionally, this group has to coordinate between various ministries and monitor implementation of action points thus identified in a timely manner. It has to obtain approval of concerned authorities for implementation of recommended action points. “Required action is being taken to feed various ministries with necessary documents and reports so that the first meeting of the newly formed IMG can be held soon,” said NCEUS joint secretary Savitur Prasad.

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