India, Feb. 1 -- In her eighth consecutive Budget speech, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a comprehensive social security scheme for gig workers.

To be helmed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the proposed initiative aims to benefit nearly 1 Cr gig workers across the country by providing them essential health insurance along with death and disability coverage. The scheme is slated for a likely rollout in the next financial year.

"Gig workers of online platforms provide great dynamism to the new-age services economy. Recognising their contribution, our government will arrange for their identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal," said the finance minister.

Additionally, the government also announced the ...