Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Panel discussion on challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services, during the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (26 Feb – 5 Apr 2024), delivered by Jagpreet Kaur, Under Secretary, MEA New Delhi
Geneva, 8 March 2024
Mr. Vice-President,
1. My delegation welcomes the organisation of this panel discussion as well as the remarks made by the panellists.
2. India is focused on promotion of welfare and providing social security to the labour force both in organized and unorganized sectors.To this end, India has enacted four labour codes by consolidating existing labour laws, including the Social Security Code. These codes have introduced landmark reforms like extension of benefits under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation to all workers; ’One Nation, One Ration Card’ system to migrant workers to ensure ease of access to subsidised food grains across the country.
3. In 2021, India launched an e-SHRAM portal to create national database of unorganised workers for furthering optimum realisation of their employability and extend the benefits of social security schemes to them. More than 292 million unorganised workers have already registered on this portal.
Mr. Vice-President,
4. To ensure large scale, speedy and transparent public service delivery, India is utilizing digital technology through initiatives like the Unified Payments Interface and the JAM trinity. This resulted in creation of a formidable inter-linked Digital Public Infrastructure, leading to financial inclusion of 80 per cent of India’s population in just six years, and in realisation of people’s economic and social rights.
5. In conclusion, we believe that good governance and citizen-first approach are fundamental to better public service delivery and new technologies are instrumental in overcoming challenges.
Thank you.
