Bringing More People Under ESIC

In order to bring more and more workers under coverage of ESI Scheme in the country, the ESI Corporation has taken the following steps;

The Corporation prepares a phased for implementing the scheme in new areas every year in consultation with the State Governments. The position of implementation/extension of ESI Scheme in new areas during the last 3 years is given below:-

The wage ceiling for coverage of employees under the Act has been enhanced from Rs.10/- p.m. to Rs.15,000/- p.m. . 01-05-2010.

ESI (Amendment) Act, 2010.

State Governments have been requested to lower the threshold for coverage of shops and other establishments from 20 persons to 10 or more persons under the powers conferred upon them under Section.1(5) of the Act. Already the State Governments of Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal have issued notifications in this regard.

The steps taken by the Corporation to make the scheme more are as follows:

Payment of Long term benefits through Electronic Clearing Scheme (ECS).

Rates of cash benefits have been enhanced and entitlements have been enlarged.

Cashless provision of super specialty services through network hospitals.

Issue of smart cards called ‘’ and networking of all ESI institutions for easy access.

To overcome the shortage of doctors in hospitals, filling up of vacant posts is being done on an ongoing basis. To overcome the shortage of doctors, including specialists in the long run and to improve the quality of medical care, the ESI Corporation has started various Medical Education Projects.

The ESI Corporation proposes to set up 18 Medical Colleges in the country in phases. The details are as under.

This information was given by , Minister for Labour and Employment in a written reply to a question in the today/

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