Kerala becomes 1st Indian State to launch Welfare Fund for Workers

Current Context: Kerala has become the first State in India to launch a welfare fund board for the workers registered for the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the State’s urban job guarantee scheme — Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme.

• This will facilitate the workers to get a monthly pension from the board once they turn 60 and also provide financial assistance for medical treatment, education, marriage, etc.
• The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the initiative on May 15, 2023. He said 27 lakh people in the State depend on the MGNREGS and the Left government intends to make use of the scheme for the social development of Kerala
• The welfare fund has been formed as per the Kerala Employment Guarantee Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 2021.

Question:

Q.1 Which State in India has launched a welfare fund board for the workers registered for the MGNREGS and the State’s urban job guarantee scheme?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Karnataka
d. Kerala