Kerala has become the first state to set up a welfare fund for MNREGA workers

Kerala has become the first state to set up a welfare fund for workers of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Employment Guarantee Workers Welfare Fund at a function to be held in Palakkad on May 15.
Launching the initiative, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the workers who have completed the age of 60 will be entitled for pension under the fund which will also provide financial assistance for medical treatment, education, marriage, among other benefits.
He said 27 lakh people in the State depend on the MGNREGS and the Left government intends to make use of the scheme for the social development of Kerala.
In a Facebook post, Vijayan said the workers need to pay a nominal monthly amount of Rs 50 as contribution to the fund and the government will also contribute an equal amount.
He said for those who have paid the contributions for ten or more years, their families will get the benefits in case of beneficiary’s death.