To build on the very encouraging response to the social security schemes, namely; Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for accident and disability cover of up to ₹ 2 Lakh at an annual premium of ₹ 12 and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for a term life cover of ₹ 2 Lakh at an annual premium of ₹ 330, launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 9^th May 2015 at Kolkata, a special enrolment drive has been launched by participating Banks and Insurance Companies during August-September 2015, in the backdrop of the forthcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan. The drive is reaching out to the pool of eligible Bank account holders who are yet to be enrolled under these schemes. 

The “Suraksha Bandhan” drive aims to take forward the Government’s objective of creating a universal social security system in the country, targeted especially at the poor and the under-privileged. Participating Banks supported by the participating Insurance Companies are carrying out local outreach, awareness building and enrolment facilitation under the drive. All eligible citizens are requested to contact their Bank branches for enrolment. 

Public service organizations supported by peoples representatives, field functionaries of Govt. Departments / Ministries working with the unorganized / informal sector and Banks / Insurance companies are participating in these efforts through various outreach activities such as enrolment drives, camps etc. in large numbers during this period. 

The last date for enrolling under the PMSBY and PMJJBY schemes has been extended till 30^th September 2015, and persons enrolling within this period would not be required to submit a certificate of good health for PMJJBY. PMSBY enrolment does not in any event require any such certification.

The drive envisaged in the backdrop of Raksha Bandhan, is supported through a specially launched instrument the “Jeevan Suraksha Gift Cheque”, which is available for purchase for ₹ 351 in Bank Branches by persons wishing to gift them to facilitate one year payment of premium for PMJJBY and PMSBY by the recipient. The recipient of the gift cheque would deposit the instrument in his / her bank account for a realizable value of ₹ 342 (Rs. 12 + ₹ 330) to cover one year subscription under PMJJBY and PMSBY. The balance of ₹ 9 from the purchase price of ₹ 351 would be retained by the issuing Bank as a service charge.

In addition Banks have made available deposit scheme facility to all account holders under the Suraksha Deposit Scheme (Rs.201) and the Jeevan Suraksha Deposit Scheme (Rs.5001) aimed at enabling them to deposit ₹ 201 or ₹ 5001, respectively in their accounts either on their own initiative by cash or regular cheque etc. received as gifts during the festive season of Raksha Bandhan for long term subscription under PMSBY or both PMSBY and PMJJBY, respectively.

The ₹ 201 deposit envisaged under Suraksha Deposit Scheme would be used by the individual through his/her Bank account to reserve ₹ 24 for paying two annual payments of ₹ 12 each for PMSBY, at the appropriate time, and the remaining ₹ 177 would be in a Fixed Deposit (FD) for 5 to 10 years for payment of future PMSBY subscriptions from the interest accrued every year.

Similarly, the ₹ 5001 deposit under Jeevan Suraksha Deposit Scheme would be used to reserve ₹ 684 for paying two annual payments of ₹ 342 (Rs. 12 + ₹ 330) each for subscription to PMSBY and PMJJBY, at the appropriate time, and the remaining ₹ 4317 would be kept in FD for 5 to 10 years for payment of future PMSBY and PMJJBY subscriptions from the interest accrued every year.

Social security enrolment drive expands access to PMSBY and PMJJBY via gift cheques and deposit schemes. The Suraksha Bandhan drive facilitates enrolment in PMSBY and PMJJBY by extending the enrolment period and waiving PMJJBY health certificate requirements for timely applicants, while enabling premium payment via a Jeevan Suraksha Gift Cheque and two deposit schemes that reserve specified sums for upcoming premium payments and place remaining funds in fixed deposits for future premium funding.