Question : ESI SCHEME

(a) the number of industrial workers covered by the Employees State Insurance Scheme in the country particularly in Rajasthan alongwith the percentage increase in the number of employees during the last three years; State-wise;

(b) the number of hospitals and dispensaries of ESI functioning in Rajasthan as on date alongwith the number of workers being benefited from these dispensaries and hospitals;

(c) the number of hospitals and dispensaries proposed to be opened during the year 2000, location-wise;

(d) whether the Government contemplate to modernise and upgrade the ESI dispensaries and hospitals in the country particularly in Rajasthan;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(f) whether the sufficient staff is provided in these dispensaries and hospitals; and
(g) the number of posts lying vacant in the above said hospitals and dispensaries and the time by which these would be filled, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MUNI LALL)

(a): In March, 1999 there were 80.85 Lakh employees covered under the ESI Scheme as against 66.13 Lakh in March, 1996 marking an increase in coverage to the extent of 22.26%. The information about coverage of the ESIS State wise as on 31.3.99 is an given in Annexure-I.

(b): There are at present 4 ESI hospitals and 63 dispensaries established for providing medical care and treatment to 2.92 lakh employees and their families in Rajasthan.

(c): There is no proposal to open a new ESI hospital/dispensary during the year 2000 in Rajasthan.

(d) & (e): Yes, Sir. In order to bring improvement in working of ESI hospitals/dispensaries, the ESI Corporation has recently formulated an Action Plan and forwarded the same to the State Governments for implementation in consultation with the ESIC. The Action Plan includes inter-alia upgradation/modernization of medical facilities in ESI hospitals by providing them equipments of ultrasonography, pulse oximeter, auto analyzer, semi-auto analyzer, cardiac monitor, dental unit, resuscitation equipments etc. Under the Action Plan, the proposals for modernization of ESI hospitals are required to be submitted by the State Governments/UT administrations. The ESI Corporation has already considered and approved provision of modern equipments in respect of 112 ESI hospitals in 14 States/Union Territories. As details of equipments provided by the ESIC hospital- wise are quite large, it is somewhat difficult to furnish individual details in this regard. The ESI Corporation has already sanctioned certain equipments for modernising three ESI hospitals and 61 dispensaries in Rajasthan.

(f) & (g): A statement showing vacancies in medical, para medical and other posts is at Annexure-II. Except in Delhi and NOIDA the ESI hospitals/dispensaries are being run by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. Accordingly the ESIC has requested the concerned State Governments to fill the vacant posts. As action in this regard is required to be taken by the State Governments, it is difficult to indicate the time by which these posts would be filled.