Rajasthan ropes in OIC to provide health insurance to workers

Rajasthan government has roped in Oriental Insurance Company Ltd to provide health insurance cover to mine workers in the state, a move which would benefit about 2.5 lakh employees in unorganised mines.     

Rajasthan Mines and Petroleum Principal Secretary Ashok Singhvi said that the state has made it mandatory for mine owners to ensure health insurance coverage to workers.     

"Every mine owner would have to pay a premium of Rs 405 a year for each employee. As per the policy, a mine worker would get a compensation ranging from Rs 25,000-50,000 on event of any accident while the family member would get Rs 50,000 if the mine worker dies.

The insurance also covers 15-day hospitalisation in case of serious illness," Singhvi said.

Organised mines like Hindustan Zinc Ltd, R K Marble and Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Ltd (RSMML) are already providing health insurance coverage to their employees. But around 2.5 lakh workers in unorganised mines were deprived of any insurance coverage.