MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI K. CHANDRASEKHAR RAO)
(a) & (b): The ESI Act, 1948 envisages clear cut policy with regard to functioning of the Employees` State Insurance Corporation and implementation of the ESI Scheme.
(c) to (e): Central Trade Union representatives are the Members of the ESI Corporation and are also represented on the various Committees of the Corporation. The issues raised by members are discussed in these meetings and appropriate actions taken. Views expressed by Trade Unions from time to time regarding improvement in functioning of ESI medical scheme are as under:-
1. Removing duality of control in delivery of health care to Insured Persons.
2. Upgradation of ESI Hospitals and Dispensaries with staff and equipments as per norms.
3. Increase in the ceiling on reimbursement of expenditure on medical care to State Governments.
The ESI Corporation has taken several steps to streamline the functioning of ESI Hospitals and Dispensaries which are as under:-
1. The Scheme of revolving fund has been set up to provide advance payments for super specialty treatment to Insured Persons and their families. Besides, the scope of revolving fund has been extended to make the payments of drugs and dressings, equipments, and annual maintenance contracts procured by the State Govts.
2. Under the Model Hospitals Scheme, one ESI hospital in each State is proposed to be taken over by ESIC to run it as Model Hospital. So far, 12 hospitals have been taken over by the Corporation to run them as Model Hospitals.
3. The issue of duality of control is under discussion with the General Purpose Medical Care Sub-Committee.
4. Ceiling on reimbursement of medical care to State Govt. has been increased from Rs. 750/- to Rs. 900/- per I.P. family Unit per annum w.e.f. 1.4.2005.
(f) & (g): The ESI Corporation is making appointments of its regular staff, as per its recruitment regulations framed by the ESI Corporation.
