Free medical facilities to workers in unorganised sector

Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, Jul 7 (UNI) The UPA Government at the Centre has covered over 1.2 crore workers in the unorganised sector under the Employees State Insurance(ESI) scheme for extending them benefit of free medical facilities, Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandes said.

Speaking at a function after laying the foundation stone for 100 bedded ESI Hospital here, Mr Fernandes said the government had promulgated an ordinance to enforce the scheme which would benefit around six crore poor people every year.

He said 1.2 crore workers in the unorganised sector would be provided medical insurance policy covering them and their family.

This policy would be given to them free of cost as the premium of the insurance policy would be paid by the Centre and the state government concern in 75:25 ratio, Mr Fernandes said.

He said his ministry had also taken several measures to strengthen the medical wing of the ESI. In this regard the ministry had also decided to open its own medical colleges to attach with ESI Hospitals.

The Health Ministry had already cleared his Ministry's proposal in this regard.

Presenbtly, the ESI Corproation has huge infrastructure of 144 hospitals, 42 hospital annexes and 1388 ESI dispensaries, he added.

Union Mines Ministrer Shish Ram Ola presided over the function while Rajasthan Labour Minister Ram Kishore Meena, sitting MP Dr KS Yadav and several dignitaries were present.

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