India’s Rubber Board is now offering an insurance scheme for rubber tappers in the country.
Applications are invited from rubber tappers for enrolling in the fourth phase of ‘Group Life Insurance Cum Terminal Benefit Scheme’, implemented by the Rubber Board in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
The members of this scheme are eligible for benefits like insurance cover (both for natural and accidental death), compensation for disabilities due to accidents, terminal benefits and scholarship at the rate of Rs.1200 a year to the children of members studying from class 9 to 12 and ITI courses.
The tappers in the age group of 18-59 years working in small holdings of area not less than 0.40 ha, and not working under the Plantations Labour Act 1951, are eligible to join this scheme. The minimum contribution for membership in the scheme is Rs. 300/- a year. Those who want additional terminal benefits can contribute more. The Rubber Board contribution of Rs.400 will also be added to the terminal benefit of each member.
The application forms of this scheme are being issued from the regional offices of the Rubber Board. Tappers who desire to join the scheme this year may submit the applications along with the contributions at the regional offices concerned, before March 10, 2016. The payment for the contribution to this scheme may be made either in cash or by Demand Draft / Postal Order drawn in favour of the Dy. Rubber Production Commissioner or Development Officer in charge of the regional offices concerned.
Details of the scheme are available from the regional offices.