1.

Identify the number of households receiving any of the social security schemes in your
community.

Ans: In my community, there are 49 households together ans the benefits acquired from Social
Security Schemes are shared. Such schemes available are mentioned below:-

 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) : All

the 49 households receive this scheme fairly. All adults from the 49 households take part
in the scheme and the amount of money earned from the scheme is ₹ 7,203 for both male
an female.

 Housing Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Out of the 49 households, only six households
were able to get house from this scheme so far.

 Nutrition Centrally Sponsored Schemes: All the schemes under this, namely,(i) Midday
meal scheme; (ii) Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS); (iii) Antyodaya Anna
Yojana are made available to everyone in the area. All the 49 households, especially
pregnant women and children benefit from this scheme.

 Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) : Out of the 49
households, five houses consist of elderly persons of about 60 years of age and above and
they fall under the Below Poverty Line.

 Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS) : Around 30 households in my area get to

take advantages of the Megha Health Insurance Schemes (MHIS) which is a universal
health insurance scheme in the state of Meghalaya.

2. Enquire how such households have benefited from the schemes.

Ans: Most of the households in my community have been greatly benefited by the social security
schemes. Such schemes benefit the people in the following ways:-

 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) : This

scheme is in fact one of the largest social schemes introduced in India. Thus, it has greatly
helped poor households conquer unemployment and poverty. As a matter of fact, the scheme
has successfully helped in the reduction of poverty rate in India. It helps many households in
my area to earn a livelihood as well as gain social security. Moreover it grants employment to
the unemployed.

 Housing Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Taking advantage of the scheme, most of the
households in my area have been able to get proper shelter, houses and to have sense of social
security.

 Nutrition Centrally Sponsored Schemes: In my area, the mid day meal programme which
fall under Nutrition Centrally Sponsored Schemes is one which is seen to be extremely
effective. Under the midday meal programme, corn, soy, milk and even locally available
foods such as cereals and pulses are invariably used to meet the nutritional needs of primary
school children. Moreover, under the Integrated Child Development Service, a package of
services such as supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health and nutrition education are
provided. There are also special nutrition programmes in which the beneficiaries include
pregnant and lactating mothers as well. Such nutrition schemes have greatly improved the
nutritional status of the people in my area.
 Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) : As mentioned, only a few
number of households with elderly persons get the benefits of this scheme in my area. The
scheme has really assured a respectful life and it has been a great financial assistant to the old
aged persons in my village especially those falling under the BPL.

 Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS): As mentioned, the Megha Health Insurance
Scheme is a Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS) in the state of Meghalaya, and most
of the households in my area get to avail the benefits of this health scheme. The enrolled
households in my area are benefited by the scheme in such a way that they are provided
cashless treatment. During treatment, the enrolled members just need to produce their Smart
Cards to avail cashless treatment benefits in empanelled hospitals. In such a way, this scheme
helps the households in my area.

•••

Aibianglin Thabah,

B.Sc. 1st Semester,

Department of Psychology.