PIB Summary - 30th August 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

National Bamboo Mission

National Bamboo Mission

Basics

• Launched: 2006–07 as a CSS; restructured in 2018 under CCEA.
• Scheme Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• Coverage: Implemented in 24 States/UTs.
• India’s Status:
  • 13.96 million ha bamboo area (highest in world).
  • 136 species (125 indigenous, 11 exotic).
  • 2nd richest in bamboo diversity (after China).
• Market Size: Bamboo & rattan industry worth ₹28,005 crore.
• Funding Pattern:
  • 60:40 (Centre:State).
  • 90:10 (NE & Hilly states).
  • 100% (UTs, R&D institutes, BTSGs).
• Nodal Agency: Implemented via State Bamboo Missions/State Bamboo Development Agencies.
• Integration:
  • Linked with MIDH (2014–16), now aligned with PMKSY, e-NAM, AIF, FPO schemes.

Objectives

• Promote holistic bamboo sector growth with regionally differentiated strategies.
• Enhance area under bamboo cultivation (non-forest & forest).
• Ensure end-to-end value chain: quality planting → processing → value addition → marketing.
• Reduce import dependence (esp. in agarbatti sector).
• Support farmers, MSMEs, SHGs, FPOs with financial aid, training, and market linkages.
• Position bamboo as a green substitute for wood, plastic, and steel.

Achievements (till Dec 2024)

• 408 nurseries established (14 accredited).
• 60,000 ha non-forest bamboo plantation.
• 104 treatment/preservation units set up.
• 528 product development/processing units.
• 130 market infrastructure facilities created.
• Integration with MIS + geo-tagging (Bhuvan portal).

Mission Strategy

• Regional Focus: NE states, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, TN, Gujarat, etc.
• Superior Planting Material: Promote genetically superior, high-yield, climate-resilient species.
• End-to-End Value Chain: Cluster-based model involving FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives.
• Institutional Synergy: Coordination across Ministries, NCDC, MSME, KVIC.
• Skill Development & R&D: Focus on design, new products, processing technology.
• Market Access: Infrastructure, e-platforms, exports.
• Policy Push: Mandating bamboo in govt construction (schools, railways, barracks).

Incentives & Financial Support

• Subsidy Pattern: 50:10:40 (subsidy: own contribution: loan).
• Extra 10% subsidy for NE private sector units.
• AIF: Post-harvest & processing support.
• FPOs: Collective farming & marketing power.

Key Issues Addressed in Restructured NBM

• Weak farmer–industry linkage (now strengthened via FPOs, MoUs).
• Limited value addition earlier; now push on product innovation.
• Lack of organized farmer collectives. now emphasis on SHGs/Cooperatives/JLGs.
• Import dependence in agarbatti sector tackled through tariff & policy support (2019 onwards).

Environmental & Climate Role

• Carbon sequestration: Bamboo absorbs 12–14 tonnes CO₂/ha annually.
• Eco-friendly substitute: Reduces pressure on forests.
• Climate Resilience: Grows in degraded lands, drought-tolerant species promoted.
• Supports SDGs & Paris Agreement targets.

Bamboo Species & Uses (Examples)

• Bambusa balcooa: Agarbatti, pulp, handicrafts.
• Dendrocalamus strictus: Furniture, construction, musical instruments.
• Melocanna baccifera: Pulp, weaving, edible shoots.
• Dendrocalamus asper: Edible shoots, pulp, poles.
• Ochlandra travancorica: Mat weaving, ply, basketry.

Success Stories

• Madhya Pradesh (Vijay Patidar): Intercropping bamboo with chilli/ginger. Low input cost, pest resistance, manure from leaves. Earned ₹75,000 in 2 years from bamboo poles.
• Maharashtra (Gadchiroli Agarbatti Project): 1100+ beneficiaries, 90% women. Steady ₹5,000/month income, reduced migration. ₹10 crore wages disbursed; won PM’s Award.
• Assam (SBDA): 10 nurseries, 18 proposed FPOs. Artisans trained, exports enhanced. MoU with Cycle Pure Agarbatties for buy-back.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Two-tier system: EC at National level, SLEC at State level.
• Third-party evaluation: Independent studies on socio-economic impact.
• MIS-based monitoring: Production, marketing, agarbatti sector tracking.
• Geo-tagging: Bhuvan Portal for infrastructure tracking.

Contribution to India’s Green Economy

• Reduces timber imports & promotes eco-friendly alternatives.
• Generates rural employment & women’s empowerment.
• Boosts export potential in furniture, handicrafts, textiles.
• Promotes waste-to-wealth via by-products & bioenergy.
• Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in agro-industrial sector.

Conclusion

•  NBM has shifted bamboo from a “poor man’s timber” to a strategic green commodity. 
•  With holistic value chain development, farmer–industry linkages, and policy support, bamboo is emerging as a pillar of India’s circular economy. 
•  Its dual role in sustainable livelihoods + climate action makes it a cornerstone of India’s green growth strategy. 

Social Security Boost for India’s Gig Workers

Introduction

The gig economy is a growing segment of the Indian workforce, with the government recognising the need to provide social security and welfare measures for gig and platform workers. The Code on Social Security, 2020, is a significant step in this direction, aiming to consolidate various labour laws and extend social security benefits to a broader range of workers, including those in the gig economy.

Understanding Gig and Platform Workers

Gig Worker:. gig worker is someone who earns income through short-term, flexible jobs, often facilitated by digital platforms, outside the traditional employer-employee relationship. Platform Worker: This is a subset of gig workers who rely on online platforms or mobile applications for their work, such as Uber for ridesharing, Swiggy for food delivery, or Zomato for restaurant services.

Workforce Size

• 2024–25: Approximately 1 crore (10 million) gig workers are estimated to be part of the workforce.
• 2029–30 (Projection): The number of gig workers is projected to increase to 2.35 crore (23.5 million).

Legislation

The Code on Social Security (2020) is the first law in India to legally recognise gig and platform workers, acknowledging their role in the workforce and the need for social security measures.

Database

The e-Shram Portal, launched in August 2021, serves as a comprehensive database for workers in the unorganised sector, including gig and platform workers. As of August 2025, over 30.98 crore (309.8 million) workers are registered on the portal, with 3.37 lakh (337,000) platform workers.

Top States in Registration

• Uttar Pradesh (UP): 8.39 crore (83.9 million) registrations.
• Bihar:. crore (30 million) registrations.
• West Bengal (WB): 2.64 crore (26.4 million) registrations.

Female Participation

• Uttar Pradesh (UP): 4.41 crore (44.1 million) female registrations.
• Bihar: 1.72 crore (17.2 million) female registrations.
• West Bengal (WB): 1.44 crore (14.4 million) female registrations.

Significance of Gig Workforce for India

• Demographic Advantage: India has a young labour force, and with increasing digital penetration, the gig economy is poised for growth.
• Economic Contribution: The gig economy is expanding in areas like ridesharing, logistics, delivery, and professional services. It offers low entry barriers, making it an alternative livelihood for migrants, women, and youth.
• Flexibility: Gig work provides opportunities for supplementary income and self-employment.
• Urbanisation & Digitalisation: The growth of smartphones, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and digital platforms is driving the expansion of the gig economy.

Social Security Challenges

• Gig workers often lack traditional employer-employee benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), Employees' State Insurance (ESI), and gratuity.
• There is income volatility and a lack of job security for gig workers.
• Delivery and ridesharing workers face high accident risks.
• There is an absence of maternity cover, health insurance, and retirement protection for gig workers.
• Gig workers depend on informal agreements with platforms and have weak bargaining power.

Code on Social Security, 2020 – Key Features

• Consolidation: The Code merges nine existing labour laws, including the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Act 1952, the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act 1948, and the Maternity Benefit Act 1961.
• Expanded Coverage: The Code extends coverage to organised and unorganised sectors, self-employed individuals, and gig and platform workers.
• Social Security Schemes: The Code provides for various social security schemes, including provident funds, pensions, health and disability coverage, gratuity, maternity benefits, old-age protection, crèche facilities, and life insurance.

Provisions for Gig/Platform Workers

• Gig and platform workers are recognised as a distinct category under the Code.
• They are eligible for social security schemes funded by the government and aggregators.
• The Code provides for the creation of a Social Security Fund for gig workers.
• A National Social Security Board is established to recommend welfare measures for gig workers.

Government Initiatives for Gig Workers

• e-Shram Portal (2021): The e-Shram portal was launched to create a comprehensive database of unorganised workers, including gig workers, and provide them with a unique identity based on self-declaration.
• Union Budget 2025–26: The budget proposed mandatory registration of platform workers on the e-Shram portal, issuance of identity cards for workers, and provision of healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for platform workers, although the rollout is yet to happen.
• Awareness Drives: State Labour Departments are conducting awareness camps and outreach programs to inform gig workers about their rights and entitlements under the social security schemes.

Role of e-Shram in Gig Worker Security

• The e-Shram portal serves as a registration gateway for gig workers to access various welfare schemes and social security benefits.
• The data collected through the e-Shram portal helps the government identify clusters of unorganised workers and formulate targeted policies for their welfare.
• High female registration on the e-Shram portal indicates the reliance of women on gig and unorganised jobs, highlighting the need for gender-inclusive policies.
• Inter-state comparisons of data from the e-Shram portal reveal migration patterns and concentrations of vulnerable workers, aiding in policy formulation.

Expected Benefits of Social Security Extension

• Financial Safety Net: The extension of social security to gig workers is expected to provide them with life, accident, and health insurance, reducing their vulnerability to unforeseen circumstances.
• Healthcare Access: Inclusion in the AB-PMJAY scheme will provide gig workers with access to institutional healthcare coverage, improving their overall health and well-being.
• Maternity Support: Providing maternity benefits will encourage female participation in the workforce and reduce dropout rates among women workers.
• Retirement & Old-Age Security: The introduction of pension and provident fund-like benefits under new schemes will ensure financial security for gig workers in their old age.
• Bargaining Power: Collective recognition and inclusion in social security schemes will enhance the bargaining power of gig workers, enabling them to negotiate better terms with platform companies.

Policy & Implementation Challenges

• Compliance: Ensuring that all digital platforms register their workers and contribute to the social security fund as mandated by the Code on Social Security.
• Awareness: Many gig workers may not be aware of their entitlements and the benefits available to them under the social security schemes, hindering effective implementation.
• Portability: Gig jobs often span across different states, necessitating that the benefits and entitlements are transferable and accessible regardless of the worker's location.
• Platform Resistance: Aggregators and platform companies may resist contributing financially to the social security fund, impacting the sustainability of the fund.
• Data Accuracy: The self-declaration model on the e-Shram portal may lead to inaccuracies in the data, either inflating or under-reporting the number of workers registered.
• Sustainability: Establishing a financially sustainable model for the social security fund without overburdening small platforms is crucial for the long-term viability of the scheme.

Comparative Global Perspective

• European Union (EU): In 2022, the EU proposed a directive aimed at granting gig workers employee rights, including minimum wage and leave entitlements.
• California, USA (AB5 Law): The AB5 law in California classified gig workers as employees entitled to benefits, though this classification has been heavily debated and faced legal challenges.
• China: In China, delivery platforms are mandated to pay social insurance for their delivery workers, ensuring a basic level of social security.
• India: India has adopted a hybrid model where gig workers are recognised as a separate class, distinct from employees, but are extended certain benefits through government schemes and funds.

Way Forward

• Effective Rollout of AB-PMJAY for Gig Workers: Ensuring that gig workers are included in the AB-PMJAY scheme for healthcare coverage.
• Aggregator Contribution: Mandating contributions from large platforms to the Social Security Fund to support gig workers.
• Skill Development Integration: Integrating skill development programs to upskill gig workers for better opportunities and higher income.
• Digital Benefit Delivery: Linking benefits to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system tied to e-Shram Unique Account Number (UAN).
• Awareness Campaigns: Conducting mass outreach programs to inform informal and rural gig workers about their rights and benefits.
• Tripartite Governance: Establishing a governance mechanism involving the government, platforms, and worker unions to ensure smooth execution of the social security measures.

Conclusion

•  The gig and platform work sector is significantly transforming India's labour market, with the Code on Social Security (2020) and the e-Shram portal being crucial developments in recognising and safeguarding gig workers' rights. 
• The future success of these initiatives hinges on effective implementation, accountability from aggregators, and raising awareness among workers. 
• As the number of gig workers is expected to rise to 2.35 crore by 2030, integrating them into formal social security systems is essential for promoting inclusive growth and ensuring worker dignity.