Life is very complex now days. In the Financial year 2014, India ranked 11th among 88 countries contributing to only 2.0% in life insurance sector. Rural India has hardly 31% hospitals and 27% medical personnel. Barely 25% of the rural population has access to clean drinking water, 97% of them have no sanitation facility. In that context of complexities and uncertainty there are lots of risks associated with rural community. Social security and safety nets are very important to address the growing risks and uncertainty. But still only approx. 15% of rural households are insured. As due to lack of information asymmetry, awareness and various other factors rural communities are still not able to reap the benefits of insurance services.

Social security schemes being a vital part of present times, PMJJBY insurance scheme is one of the great moves to ensure reasonable security for individuals under a very small premium amount. Sakhi team has mobilize, educate and initiated insurance enrolment under ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bhima Yogana(PMJJBY)’ for SHG members across locations.
Background:
Mrs. Rusna Bai, a member of Asha SHG has also enrolled herself under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bhima Yogana as a part of Insurance campaign lead by Sakhi team in Amarpura Village. Her policy was activated on 26 November 2017, two months before she was bed ridden with fever and abdominal pain. Rusna Bai passed away on 22 January 2018.

The earlier situation/ problem:
Ramesh, husband of Rusna Bai works as an LPG cylinder delivery agent at Gadi Prathapur, Baswada. Ramesh stayed away from the family for work, used to visit home only once in a month while Rusna Bai handled the responsibilities of house and four young children. She also managed the livestock which acted as their alternative income source. Ramesh earned Rs. 6000 per month, whereas Rusna Bai manged to earn Rs. 1000 per month. After the untimely death of Rusna Bai, Ramesh is unable to go for work leaving behind four young children alone at home. Income of Ramesh had also slowed down due to emergency circumstances occurred due to Rusna Bai’s disease and treatment.

The Uniqueness of the story:
SHG women had very limited knowledge about Insurance and social security schemes. There had been several initiatives made to enhance the knowledge and perceptions about banking and address bank related issues of the SHG members. Sakhi team has initiated the insurance enrolment for SHG members since October 2017 under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). The PMJJBY is available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account and Aadhar Card across Zawar location, 983 women are enrolled till date whereas 76 women are enrolled from 12 SHG’s in Amarpura village.

The positive change
Mr. Ramesh claimed the insurance coverage with the help of Samuh Sakhi and Field coordinator soon after Rusna’s death. The total insured claim Rs. 200000 was credited to Ramesh’s account on 13/03/2018. At the event of death of Rusna Bai, Ramesh immediately connected to Samuh Sakhi, who informed Sakhi field coordinator who further facilitated the claim. Samuh Sakhi and field coordinator accompanied Ramesh to visit Rajasthan Marudhara Grameen Bank (RMGB) for the insurance claim. Field coordinator himself approached local authorities to devise death certificate and Sarpanch declaration. Rs. 100000 amongst the total amount credited to Ramesh’s account is converted to four fixed deposits of Rs. 25000 on each child’s name. The rest amount would be invested on house construction and other essential requirements.

After this unfortunate incident many more members are ready to enroll for insurance schemes. Till March 2018 total 336 members have linked with insurance services.