In exercise of the powers conferred upon it under subsection 1 of Section 97 of the Employees State Insurance Act

## Report on Extension and Relaxation of Eligibility Conditions under Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification extending and relaxing eligibility conditions for the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY), a relief provided under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948. The notification extends previously implemented relaxations in eligibility conditions from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. This extension aims to provide continued support to insured persons who have become unemployed, by easing access to benefits under the ABVKY. The key finding is the continuation of relaxed eligibility conditions during the specified period to provide ongoing relief. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide information and analysis regarding a notification related to the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) based solely on the provided text of the notification. The report focuses on understanding the changes implemented via the notification, the intended beneficiaries, and potential impacts. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification concerns an **amendment** or, more precisely, an **extension of existing amendments** to the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY). The original policy is referenced as having been published on 15.02.2019. * Core Objective(s) (inferred from text): The overarching objective, as inferred from the text, is to provide financial relief to insured persons covered under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 who have become unemployed. This amendment aims to make it easier for eligible individuals to access these benefits by relaxing eligibility conditions. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification extends pre-existing relaxations in eligibility criteria. The likely rationale is to continue providing support to unemployed insured persons due to ongoing circumstances (such as economic disruption from events such as the COVID-19 pandemic), since the relaxed eligibility conditions, previously extended, were set to expire. The extension ensures that the relaxed eligibility conditions remain in effect for an additional period, from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification extends previous relaxations; it does *not* introduce new ones. It essentially continues the application of changes already implemented. The following are the changes being extended (based on references within the text): * **Relaxation Extension:** The notification extends the relaxations in eligibility conditions that were previously notified on 16.10.2020 (Sl. No. 436) and 11.01.2021. * **Period of Extension:** The period for which these relaxed eligibility conditions are extended is from 01.01.2021 to 30.06.2021. * **Terms and Conditions:** The terms and conditions of the relaxation remain the same as those notified on 16.10.2020, and the specific relaxation regarding affidavit submission remains as notified on 11.01.2021. In essence, this notification ensures the continued application of previously relaxed eligibility rules for the ABVKY for an additional six-month period. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience is insured persons covered under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 who have become unemployed and are eligible for benefits under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana. Stakeholders include: * Unemployed insured persons. * The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). * Employers contributing to the ESI scheme. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency:** The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is the responsible body for implementing this extension, as indicated by the notification. * **Timelines:** The extension is effective from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. * **Objections/Suggestions:** The notification invites objections and suggestions within 30 days of its publication to Shri S. Biswas, Insurance Commissioner, Employees State Insurance Corporation. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The expected outcome of extending these relaxed eligibility conditions is to facilitate easier access to financial relief for unemployed insured persons during the specified period. This may result in: * Increased uptake of benefits under the ABVKY. * Reduced financial hardship for unemployed individuals and their families. * Continued support to the labor market by providing a safety net for unemployed workers. **9. Conclusion:** The notification regarding the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana extends previously implemented relaxations in eligibility conditions for the period of January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. This extension is significant as it ensures the continued availability of easier access to financial relief for unemployed insured persons during this period. The ESIC's decision to extend these relaxations reflects a continued effort to support vulnerable workers amidst uncertain economic conditions.

Key Entities Referenced