ESIC celebrates 75th Anniversary with mega awareness
REGIONAL: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Mega Awareness Programme in Shillong Tuesday focusing on "Committed to Workers’ Welfare, Social Security & Nation-Building." The event aimed to promote the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme and expand social security coverage.
Key dignitaries included Garod LSN Dykes, the Chief Guest from the Government of Meghalaya, alongside regional ESIC officials. Dykes praised ESIC for enhancing social security and healthcare services for workers, emphasizing the need for increased awareness to enroll eligible workers in the ESI Scheme.
Pranay Sinha, the Insurance Commissioner, highlighted the ESI Scheme's comprehensive benefits, such as cashless medical care, employment injury compensation, maternity benefits and dependants' pensions. He announced the establishment of an ESIC Sub-Regional Office in the state to bolster service and outreach.
Ahtesham, Deputy Director of ESIC, stated that currently over 16,000 insured persons benefit from the Scheme in Meghalaya, with plans to raise this number to approximately 40,000 through awareness campaigns and collaboration with the State Government. He detailed the establishment of several offices and dispensaries to improve access to healthcare and social security benefits.
During the previous year, ESIC disbursed over 1.29 crore under various cash benefit schemes in Meghalaya. A highlight of the programme was the distribution of maternity benefits totaling 3.37 lakh to three insured women, underscoring ESIC’s support for working women.
The event attracted around 200 participants, who engaged in awareness sessions, health check-ups, and a grievance redressal session, allowing them to seek clarifications about the ESI Scheme's provisions in the state.