Community Managed Micro Insurance

Andhra Pradesh
Her desperation explains the story of legacy and efficacy of the scheme and its place in popular imagination. She has been a member of the local SHG, Abhayaanjaneya Swayam Sahayaka Sangham with 12 others in her group. Mrs. Aruna Kumari, aged 31, is still young but pines for old age security. She runs a tailoring shop to pad the domestic economic earning potential while her husband is a painter in the village. The couple owns a two-room modest house where they live with their two daughters, who are in class 8 and class 5 respectively. Mrs. Aruna Kumari has employed two more workers in the kiosk she runs today and ekes out her livelihood. The earnings are enough to sustain the family under ordinary circumstances, she informs. In case of any untoward incident or mishap our family will land in trouble as well as debt, she laments. Their group had begun the habit of taking a bank loan since 2004. The loan portfolio began with Rs. 10,000 and it has now matured into lakhs. Added, the Paavala Vaddi (25 paise Interest scheme of A P Government) has facilitated the group to have smooth fiscal transactions and hassle-free economic dealings. All the group members were briefed on the introduction of the ANNA Abhayahastam insurance/pension scheme by the local Grama Samakhya members. Yet, the initial doubts persisted in view of the negative role played by private players in the sector. Assimilation of information on the new scheme was thorough but conviction consequently was not strong enough. They lost time in taking a final decision. Finally there was a slip between the cup and the lip. Unaware of the timeline of the scheme she failed to get enrolled into the scheme. Having missed the deadline, she poses a thought-provoking question: “Are these timelines on a calendar or deadlines really important when government contemplates social security for all the deserving poor women? Until all eligible poor women irrespective of caste are enrolled, let the government keep the enrolment open.” The above observation conveys the nature of agony and tone of those non-enrolled women. These poor women were almost begging for an opportunity and, when they talk to others about their strong desire to join the scheme, their begging sounds more like crying. Their passionate appeal and eagerness to get enrolled is attested and corroborated by members of Grama Samakhya and Mandala Samakhya from the respective areas. The yearning for another chance and wait for next opportunity are writ large on their faces. It seems as if they are prepared for a patient wait, whether it is short or eternal. The influence and impact of the scheme in a short span of time is so conspicuous that poor women from every village failed to enroll themselves wait for the next time with their mouths agape. What conclusive verification is needed to testify the beneficial nature of the public scheme more than this popular urge for one more chance?.”

  • Name : Aruna Kumari
  • District :Krishna
  • Mandal : Kanchikacherla