ESI Corp to take over ESIC scheme in states

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) In a major decision, the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) today announced it will take over the ESI scheme in the states, subject to the willingness of the state governments.

The decision, which is expected to cost Rs 400 crore annually, was taken at the 136th meeting of the ESI Corporation held here under the chairmanship of Union Labour and Employment Minister Chandrasekhar Rao.

At present the healthcare delivery system was not satisfactory due to dual control in administration of the scheme, Mr Rao pointed out, adding that the step was aimed at improving the healthcare delivery system and would benefit insured workers and their families.

The meeting also considered introduction of an amnesty scheme for withdrawal of criminal cases, filed under Sections 84 and 85 of the ESI Act, against insured people and employers, subject to certain conditions. Prosecution cases have been launched against insured persons for giving false statements to extract higher cash benefit and against employers for failure to pay their contribution and submit their return of contribution.

It was also decided that ESI Hospital Noida would be converted into a model hospital for the state of Uttar Pradesh and run by the ESI Corporation. The ESI Hospital Sahibabad already developed as a model hospital would be returned to the state government alongwith the dispensaries under Noida Hospital.

The ESIC also approved setting up of a full-fledged engineering wing to manage all constructions, repairs and maintenance activities of the corporation, which at present owns about 2,213 acres of land and 2,574,850 sq mts of built up space under hospitals, dispensaries, staff quarters and offices all over the country. Till now, the work was being looked after by various Central and State agencies.

UNI SD VJ ND1912