Uttarakhand: Chief Secretary’s strictness on slow process of giving ESI coverage, notice issued to more than 15000 units

The Chief Secretary’s strictness has been seen on the slow process of giving ESI coverage to contract and other general workers in the state. After the strict instructions of Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, by running an intensive campaign, notices have been issued to more than 15000 units regarding ESI.

Chief Secretary’s strictness on the slow process of giving ESI coverage

Taking strictness on the slow process of giving ESI coverage to contract and other general workers in the state, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi today summoned a report from the Secretary Urban Development in the Secretariat regarding the action taken so far in relation to giving ESI coverage to daily and contract employees in Municipal Corporations and Municipal Bodies.

She has given strict instructions to the concerned Secretary that all the municipalities and bodies should be reviewed immediately. Along with this, immediate action should be taken to compulsorily cover the daily and contract employees, workers working in them under the Employees State Insurance Scheme.

Notice issued to more than 15000 units

After the strict instructions of Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, till now the Labor Department has conducted an intensive campaign and conducted surprise checks regarding ESI. Notices have been issued to more than 15000 units. Out of which 10000 units have completed the action regarding ESI coverage. In today’s meeting, the Chief Secretary has once again directed to run an intensive campaign regarding the check of ESI coverage.

With the aim of providing health and social security medical assistance, accident cover and other health benefits to the contract and workers in the state and to protect the workers from the risks arising at the workplace as well as to make the workers aware of the benefits of the insurance scheme and their rights, the Chief Secretary has instructed the concerned officers to work on this with top priority and seriousness.

Plan should be made soon for State Insurance Scheme

Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has directed the Rural Development, Youth Welfare, Disaster Management, Finance, Women Empowerment and Child Development Department as well as various NGOs to prepare an action plan as soon as possible for covering the contract and general workers under the Employees State Insurance Scheme.

Let us tell you that the Employees State Insurance Scheme is funded by the contribution of employers and employees. Employer contribution is 3.25 percent and employee contribution is 0.75 percent. Thus the total amount payable is 4%. The corporation reimburses 87.5% of the actual expenditure out of 100% of the scheme operation to the state government.

The number of insurance holders in the state is 7,34,343

The number of insurance holders in the state is 7,34,343 and the number of their dependents is about thirty lakh. The scheme is operated in 45 dispensaries and 65 contracted medical institutions in 13 districts in the state. The Employees State Insurance Scheme is a unique social insurance scheme under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. It provides protection to the workers covered under the organised sector and their dependents against death and disability due to illness, maternity, employment injury and occupational diseases.

Under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, workers employed in the organised sector in the state in industrial establishments, commercial establishments etc. for 10 or more persons and drawing salary up to the limit of Rs. 21,000 and Rs. 25,000 for disabled persons are insured by the Employees State Insurance Corporation, Government of India.