Sambal Card: A Lifeline for Madhya Pradesh’s Unorganized Workers

The Sambal Card, an integral component of the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana 2.0, is a flagship welfare scheme launched by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2018. Designed to provide social and economic security to unorganized sector workers, it addresses the vulnerabilities faced by laborers such as construction workers, street vendors, domestic workers, and others who lack access to formal social security schemes like the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). 

By offering a range of benefits, from health insurance to educational support, the Sambal Card has become a cornerstone of welfare for millions of workers in the state. This article delves into the scheme’s features, eligibility, application process, benefits, and its distinction from the national e-Shram initiative.

What is the Sambal Card?

The Sambal Card is a unique identification card issued to registered unorganized workers in Madhya Pradesh, enabling them to access a suite of welfare benefits under the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana. The scheme aims to empower workers by providing financial assistance during emergencies, supporting their children’s education, and alleviating economic burdens through subsidies. Since its inception, the program has reached millions of beneficiaries, with a user-friendly online portal (sambal.mp.gov.in) ensuring transparency and accessibility.

The Sambal Card is tied to the beneficiary’s Samagra ID, a state-specific identification system that streamlines access to government services. By integrating digital infrastructure, the scheme ensures that workers can apply, track their status, and download their cards with ease.

Key Benefits of the Sambal Card

The Sambal Card offers a comprehensive set of benefits tailored to the needs of unorganized workers:

1. Health Insurance: Covers medical emergencies, including hospitalization costs for serious illnesses or injuries.

2. Accidental Death Assistance: Provides up to ₹4 lakh to the family in case of the worker’s accidental death.

3. General Death Assistance: Offers ₹2 lakh for natural death, ensuring financial support for dependents.

4. Permanent Disability Aid: Grants up to ₹2 lakh for permanent disability caused by accidents.

5. Partial Disability Aid: Provides up to ₹1 lakh for partial disability.

6. Maternity Benefits: Offers ₹16,000 for pregnant women to cover medical and nutritional needs during pregnancy.

7. Education Support: Scholarships and financial aid for workers’ children to pursue education up to higher secondary levels.

8. Electricity Bill Subsidies: Waivers or subsidies on electricity bills for eligible households, reducing monthly expenses.

9. Funeral Assistance: ₹5,000 for funeral expenses in case of a worker’s death.

10. Tool Kit Support: Financial aid to purchase work-related tools for certain occupations.

These benefits aim to create a safety net, ensuring that workers and their families can navigate financial challenges without falling into debt or poverty.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Sambal Card, applicants must meet the following requirements:

● Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh.

● Age: Between 18 and 60 years at the time of registration.

● Occupation: Employed in the unorganized sector (e.g., construction, street vending, domestic work, or other non-formal jobs).

● Exclusion: Not enrolled in formal social security schemes like EPF or ESIC.

● Identification: Possess a valid Samagra ID and Aadhaar card.

The scheme prioritizes workers from economically weaker sections, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive support.

How to Apply for the Sambal Card

The application process for the Sambal Card is streamlined through the official Sambal portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the Portal: Go to sambal.mp.gov.in.

2. Select Registration: Click on “Apply for Registration” under the citizen services section.

3. Enter Samagra ID: Provide your 9-digit Samagra ID to initiate the process.

4. Complete Aadhaar eKYC: Authenticate your identity using Aadhaar-based eKYC.

5. Fill the Form: Enter personal details, including name, address, occupation, and family information.

6. Upload Documents: Submit scanned copies of:

○ Aadhaar card

○ Samagra ID

○ Ration card (if applicable)

○ Bank passbook

○ Recent passport-sized photograph

7. Submit Application: Review and submit the form online.

8. Local Verification: Visit your Gram Panchayat or urban local body with the application receipt. Obtain signatures from the Sarpanch and Secretary (for rural areas) or ward officer (for urban areas) to complete verification.

Once verified, the application is processed, and the Sambal Card is issued digitally.

Checking Application Status and Downloading the Card

To track the status of your application or download the Sambal Card:

1. Visit sambal.mp.gov.in.

2. Click on “Beneficiary Details” or “Check Application Status.”

3. Enter your 9-digit Samagra ID or Sambal ID.

4. View the status. If approved, select “Print Sambal Card” to download the card as a PDF.

5. Save or print the card for future reference.

The portal also allows beneficiaries to check the status of specific benefits, such as maternity aid or scholarship disbursements.

Sambal Card vs. e-Shram Card

While the Sambal Card is a state-specific initiative, the e-Shram Card, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is a national scheme aimed at creating a centralized database of unorganized workers across India. Here’s how the two compare:

● Scope:

○ Sambal Card: Limited to Madhya Pradesh, focusing on state-specific benefits like electricity subsidies and maternity aid.

○ e-Shram Card: Nationwide, providing a Universal Account Number (UAN) for portability across states.

● Benefits:

○ Sambal Card: Offers a broader range of benefits, including ₹4 lakh accidental death aid, ₹16,000 maternity benefits, and education support.

○ e-Shram Card: Provides ₹2 lakh accidental insurance, ₹1 lakh partial disability aid, and a ₹3,000 monthly pension after age 60 (under the PM-SYM scheme).

● Registration:

○ Sambal Card: Requires Samagra ID and local verification through Gram Panchayats.

○ e-Shram Card: Uses Aadhaar and mobile OTP, with registration at Common Service Centres (CSCs).

● Objective:

○ Sambal Card: Emphasizes immediate financial relief and local governance.

○ e-Shram Card: Focuses on long-term social security and a national database for policy planning.

Workers in Madhya Pradesh can register for both schemes, as they are complementary. The e-Shram Card provides a national framework, while the Sambal Card delivers state-specific support.

Impact and Reach

Since its launch, the Sambal Yojana has registered over 2 crore unorganized workers in Madhya Pradesh, with millions benefiting from health insurance, death assistance, and educational support. The scheme’s digital infrastructure ensures transparency, allowing beneficiaries to track applications and benefit disbursements in real time. By targeting the unorganized sector, which constitutes nearly 80% of India’s workforce, the Sambal Card addresses critical gaps in social security.

The scheme has also empowered women workers by providing maternity benefits and scholarships for their children, promoting gender equity. Additionally, electricity bill waivers have reduced household expenses, improving the quality of life for low-income families.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its success, the Sambal Yojana faces challenges:

● Awareness: Many eligible workers, especially in remote areas, remain unaware of the scheme.

● Verification Delays: Local verification processes can be slow due to bureaucratic hurdles.

● Digital Access: Workers without smartphones or internet access struggle to use the online portal.

To address these, the government has launched awareness campaigns and set up help desks at Gram Panchayats. Future enhancements may include offline registration options and integration with other national schemes like e-Shram for seamless benefit delivery.

Conclusion

The Sambal Card is a transformative initiative that empowers Madhya Pradesh’s unorganized workers by providing financial security, healthcare, and educational opportunities. Its user-friendly portal, coupled with a wide range of benefits, makes it a model for state-level welfare programs. While the e-Shram Card offers a national framework, the Sambal Card’s localized approach ensures that workers receive tailored support. For eligible workers, registering for the Sambal Card is a step toward a more secure and dignified life.

To apply or learn more, visit sambal.mp.gov.in.

(The views, opinions, and claims in this article are solely those of the author’s and do not represent the editorial stance of The Assam Tribune)