(a) whether the Government has prepared any scheme for the expansion of ESI in new areas of the country, particularly in Maharashtra, in phased manner;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the efforts made so far by the Union Government to provide assistance to Maharashtra and other States for this purpose?
MINISTER OF LABOUR (SHRI SAHIB SINGH VERMA)
(a): Yes, Sir. To facilitate implementation of the ESI Scheme in new areas the ESI Corporation has prepared a phased programme for implementation of the scheme (in new areas) for two years at a time i.e. current financial year and the following financial year, in consultation with the State Governments.
(b): Phased programme for implementation of the ESI Scheme for the year 2003-2004 (revised) and 2004-2005 sent to State Governments is enclosed (Annexure-I).
(c): Provision of medical care under the ESI Act is the statutory responsibility of the State Government concerned except in National Capital Territory Region of Delhi and NOIDA area of Uttar Pradesh where medical care is directly provided by the ESI Corporation. The targets fixed for implementation in the phased programme are not adhered to as the State Governments are often not able to complete the requisite arrangements to provide medical care to coverable workers and the members of their families. With a view to facilitate early implementation of the ESI scheme in new areas, the ESI Corporation has decided to bear the entire expenditure on provision of medical care to coverable employees and the members of their families in new areas for the first three years of implementation of the ESI scheme.
ANNEXURE
REVISED PHASED PROGRAMME FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ESI SCHEME IN NEW AREAS DURING THE YEAR 2003-2004 & 2004-2005
Name of the States No. of areas to be covered
2003-2004 2004-2005
1. ANDHRA PRADESH 13 9
2. BIHAR 1
3. CHHATISGARH 2 1
4. HARYANA 3 1
5. JHARKHAND 3 4 6. KARNATAKA 5 4
7 KERALA 3 4
8. MADHYA PRADESH 4 5
9. MAHARASHTRA 15 6 10. ORISSA 3 3 11. PUNJAB 3 2 12. RAJASTHAN 6 13. TAMILNADU 15 13 14. UTTAR PRADESH 5 5 15. UTTARANCHAL 2 16. WEST BENGAL 3 2
TOTAL: 86 59