Lok Sabha Question No. 264 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Availing of Services by Non-insured Persons from ESIC Hospitals
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 264

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## AVAILING OF SERVICES BY NON-INSURED PERSONS FROM ESIC HOSPITALS

- *264. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether the Government/ Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to allow non-insured persons to avail medical services from ESIC  hospitals  and  if  so,  the  details  along  with  the  aims  and  objectives
- thereof;
- (b)the terms and conditions laid down for providing such services to the non-
- insured persons;
- (c)whether the Government is aware of the acute shortage of specialist/super specialist doctors,  Paramedical &  Nursing cadre and various other categories in ESIC hospitals across the country;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to fill up the vacancies in a time-bound manner; and
- (e)whether  ESIC  proposes  to  enhance  the  exemption  limit  for  payment  of employee's, share of contribution from  Rs.  137  to  Rs.  176  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 264 FOR ANSWER ON 31.12.2018 BY SHRI KUNWAR  HARIBANSH  SINGH  AND  SHRI  ASHOK  SHANKARRAO  CHAVAN REGARDING AVAILING OF SERVICES BY NON-INSURED PERSONS FROM ESIC HOSPITALS.

(a)  &  (b):  With  the  objective  of  better  utilization  of  under-utilized  ESIC  hospitals, Employees'  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC)  in  its 175th  meeting  held  on 18.09.2018,  has  taken  a  decision  to  allow  Non-Insured  Persons  to  avail  medical services from under-utilized ESIC Hospitals at Alwar (Rajasthan), Bihta (Bihar) and Gulbarga(Karnataka).  Moreover,  ESI  Corporation  in  its  176th  meeting  held  on 05.12.18 has decided to provide medical services to Non-Insured Persons from its underutilized hospitals at Bareilly & Varanasi too. Through this scheme, it is aimed at optimal utilization of existing infrastructure. As a Pilot Scheme for one year, ESI Corporation  in  its  meeting  dated  05.12.2018  has  decided  to  levy  user  charges  on non-Insured Persons availing medical services from these hospitals. It is proposed to levy user charges, as per following terms & conditions:

-  OPD consultation @ Rs.10/- per consultation
-  IPD @ 25% of CGHS package rates.
-  Medicines as per actual

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d):  Regular  recruitment  in respect of vacancies in the cadre  of GDMO, Specialist, Super Specialist, Teaching Faculty has already been initiated as follows:-

ESIC has already advertised on 21st December, 2018, 2360 vacancies for Paramedical & Nursing cadre posts in 21 States. Similarly, advertisement has been released on 24th December, 2018 for filling up 257 posts of Specialist Gr. II (Junior Scale) and 72 posts of Specialist Gr. II (Senior Scale- Super Specialties) in 19 States.

(e): The  proposal  for  Amendment  to  Rule  52  of  ESI  (Central)  Rule,  1950  for enhancement  of  exemption  limit  for  payment  of  employee's  share  of  contribution from Rs.137 to Rs.176 per day was placed before the ESI Corporation in its 176th meeting of ESI Corporation held on 05.12.2018 and the same was approved, keeping in view the rise in the National Floor Level Minimum Wages to Rs. 176.

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