Director's Message

The Director says that Social Assistance is that measure of social action in which relief or protection is given by way of “assistance without taking any contribution from the workman” and such social assistance is to be found in the Governmental Scheme for various welfare measures for medical, financial or legal assistance gratuitously viz, Old-age pension, unemployment benefit, or various schemes for free medical treatment to the poor worker. Whereas in the case of ‘Social Insurance’, the scheme is prepared where in the concerned workman also pays his contribution to such schemes and get benefit in case of any calamity, disease or accidents. The good examples of these two types of Social Security can be found in the ‘Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923’ which is a non-contributory assistance given to the affected employees and the financial responsibility is shared by the employer. Whereas the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI) is the measure of Social Security wherein the employees also contribute their share. The Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is also a Scheme in which financial responsibility is shared between employers, employees and the Government.

With reference to India, the Constitution levies responsibility on the State to provide social security to citizens of the country. The State, here, discharges duty as an agent of the society in order to help those who are in adverse situations or otherwise needs protection owing to above mentioned contingencies. Article 41, 42 and 43 of the Constitution do talk about the same. Also, the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India mentions issues like: