Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Wednesday approved a massive expansion plan of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for implementation during the next financial year.
According to an official spokesperson, the decision in thisregard was taken in the 16th regional board meeting of ESIC held under hischairmanship. The regional chapter was asked to gear up for reaching out touncovered areas and large-scale new enrolments.
Ganai who is also the chairperson of the Regional Board ofESIC expressed his gratitude to Government of India for slashing the premiumfrom 6% (Employer 4.75% and Employee 1.75%) to 4% (Employer 3.25% and Employees0.75%) of the wages. He said that this step would go a long way in giving amajor shot in the arm of this social security scheme. It was decided in themeeting that measures would be taken to cover all the 5.5 lakh beneficiaries ofcontributory provident fund scheme under the ESI scheme, which has around 2.63lakh beneficiaries currently.
The board also decided to establish a tertiary care100-bedded ESI hospital at Ompura Budgam for which 40 kanals of land hasalready been identified. Besides, 30-bedded hospitals would also be set up inthe industrial estates at Kathua, Samba, Rangreth and Khonmoh. In order tocater to the uncovered areas, the Board also decided to run ESI assistedstate-run dispensaries at Ramban, Doda, Poonch, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Shopian,Kulgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Rajouri, Leh, Kargil and Bandipora. Thiswould ensure in bringing whole state under the ambit of the social securityscheme provided by ESI Corporation.
An in-principle approval was also given for constitution ofstate autonomous society under the ESI Act for effective disbursement ofmedical care facilities in the state. This measure was taken in light ofrechristening of the plan by the central government.
Ganai exhorted upon the officers to run the rigorouscampaigns for creating massive awareness among both the employees andemployers.
This oldest social security scheme, he expressed, holds amassive promise for safeguarding the interests of workers. It was given thatthere is absolutely no bar on the medical reimbursements to be made under thescheme. He advised the Regional Director to take every measure for realizingthe goals this scheme was originally constituted to achieve.
The Chairman directed the officers to dispose-off all thepending claims within the next 15 days. He instructed for devising propermechanism in settling all the 700 pending claims of insured persons within theset deadline. He further enjoined upon the AMO that only medicines of superiorquality should be procured and distributed among those availing the services.
Ganai also urged the members to work with zeal in amissionary mode for percolation of benefits envisaged under the scheme down toevery potential beneficiary in the state.