ESI now serving more than five crore beneficiaries

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is now serving over five crore beneficiaries all over the country. This was announced by the Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge at its 148th meeting held here today. 



The E.S.I. Corporation approved its Annual Accounts and Annual Report for the financial year 2008-09 in this meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Shri Kharge. The Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Vice Chairman of Corporation Shri Harish Rawat also attended the meeting. 



The Corporation has been able to spend Rs. 1123.22 crore on Medical Care and Rs. 380.70 crore on Cash Benefit. The Revenue Income for the Corporation has also increased by Rs. 463.13 crore from Rs. 3989.31 crore in 2007-08 to Rs. 4452.45 crore in the year 2008-09 which represents an increase of 11.61% over the previous year. 



Giving highlights of the year, Shri Kharge said that during the last one year, the Corporation has also improvised different Cash Benefits being provided to the workers and their family members. Duration of Unemployment allowance under Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana has been enhanced from six months to 12 months. Also, the amount of funeral expenses payable to the eldest surviving member of the family of the diseased Insured Person (IP) has been enhanced from Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 5,000/-. Similarly, a new scheme for disabled person working in factories and establishments covered under the ESI Act drawing wages upto Rs. 25,000/- per month has been introduced w.e.f. 01.04.2008. 



The functioning of the ESI Scheme was lauded at the meeting and it was observed by the Members that it has improved remarkably in the previous year which is evident form the fact that the coverage of Insured Persons as well as Revenue Income has increased substantially. Accordingly, provisions for expenditure on medical as well as cash benefit have been proportionately increased. It was also noted that increase in expenditure for better medical care has resulted in reduction in expenditure on cash benefits, which indicates a better health condition of the work force. 



The Minister of State, Shri Harish Rawat called upon the staff & officers of ESI Corporation to increase satisfaction level of the beneficiaries. He assured the Members that the good work by the ESIC would continue and every effort would be made to give the best available services to the benificiaries. 



The Chairman also welcomed Dr. C.S. Kedar, who has recently taken over as the new Director General of ESIC.