Lok Sabha Question No. 3282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-09
Subject: Health Insurance Cover to Casual and  Contractual Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Gautham Sigamani Pon, Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Manickam Tagore B, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3282

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2021

## HEALTH INSURANCE COVER TO CASUAL AND CONTRACTUALWORKERS

3282. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

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

- (a)whether the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) proposes to  extend  benefits  of  its  health  insurance  cover  to  all  casual  and contractual workers at municipal bodies; if so, the details thereof and aims and objective behind the move;
- (b)whether ESIC has been directed to take up the matter with the States and UTs for issue of notification for coverage of casual and contractual workers in the municipal corporations and councils of their respective jurisdictions, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)the  challenges  faced  by  the  Government  in  providing  health  services under ESIC to all districts of the country;
- (d)whether ESIC facilities are not being given to most of the employees
- working in most of the private companies of the country; and
- (e)if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government in this regard
- during the last three years and if not, State-wise details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  The  Central  Government,  under  Section  1(5)  of  the ESI  Act,  1948  has  accorded  approval  for  extending  coverage  of  casual and contractual workers under municipal corporations/ councils of all the States/ Union Territories. The Central Government as also ESI Corporation Contd..2/-

are  pursuing  with  States/UTs  for  issue  of  notification  for  coverage  of casual/contractual workers under its municipal corporations/councils.

- (c): The challenges faced by ESIC in providing health services in all districts of the country include the following:
- i. At  present  ESI  Scheme  has  been  notified  in  583  districts  which includes entire area of 400 districts and is partially available in 183 districts in their district headquarters area and prominent industrial centers,
- ii. Need to expand ESIC's health care infrastructure in various districts, and
- iii.
- Need to enhance medical manpower.
- (d) & (e): The  ESI  Corporation  is  providing  ESI  benefits  to  eligible private  sector  employees  covered  under  ESI  Act  1948.    Presently,  ESI Corporation is providing coverage to employees of covered establishments / factories. The wage limit for coverage is Rs.21000/- per month (Rs.25,000/- for persons with disability).  As on 31.03.2020, a total of 3.09 crore employee were covered under the ESI Scheme.

The ESI Corporation has taken up following steps for increasing ESI coverage to establishment/units:-

- i. Reduction in rate of ESI contribution from 6.5% to 4% with effect from 01.07.2019 to encourage voluntary compliance.
2. ii.
3. Complete online registration of both employer and employee.
4. iii.
5. Extensive survey is conducted in newly implemented areas.
- iv. For already covered/ implemented areas, data from various government  departments/  organizations  is  obtained  and  regular efforts are made to cover such units which are found not covered through survey.
- v. Apart from regular surveys, special survey drives are also launched from time to time for coverage of uncovered units.
- vi. Information received from various other sources is also examined at  the  level  of  Regional  offices  &  in  Headquarters  office  to  cover eligible workers.

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