The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Corporation has decided to expand coverage of ESI Scheme and thereby health services under medical benefit to all the districts of the country in a phased manner.  Further, opening new dispensaries and hospitals to provide services to ESI beneficiaries is an on-going process.

Apart from beneficiaries of ESI schemes, health services of under-utilized ESIC hospitals have been made available to non-Insured Person (IPs).

The ESIC facilities are being given to the employees working in the factories and establishments covered under the ESI Act, 1948 and drawing wage upto Rs.21000/- per month (Rs.25,000/- per month for persons with disability). The following steps have been taken by the ESIC for bringing maximum  number of employees under ESIC coverage :-

1. The ESI Scheme has been fully extended to 389 districts where the scheme was partially available at different centres. Apart from that the scheme has also been extended to 186 districts where it is available in district headquarters areas and prominent industrial centres. As a result, the implementation of ESI Scheme has expanded from 393 districts in 2015-16 to 575 districts at present.
2. Survey drive is conducted from time to time for coverage of factories and establishments not covered under the ESI Act.
3. On receipt of any complaint from the workers, Trade Unions etc. regarding non-coverage of factories and establishments or employees, action is taken as per the provisions of the ESI Act, 1948 and the Rules & Regulations framed there under.

This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.                                                                                                          

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MS/jk

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