Lok Sabha Question No. 3845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Cancellation of New ESIC Clinics in Kerala
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3845

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## CANCELLATION OF NEW ESIC CLINICS IN KERALA

## 3845. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a)whether any permission or approval granted for establishment of new Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) clinics/dispensaries in Kerala have been cancelled, withdrawn or kept pending during the last five years and the current year;
- (b)if so, the details thereof including the location, date of approval, date of cancellation/withholding and the specific reasons therefor;
- (c)whether any proposal for setting up of new ESIC clinics, hospitals or  medical/AYUSH  institutions,  ayurveda  medical  colleges  have been received from the State Government of Kerala or any Member of Parliament;
- (d)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  present  status  of  such proposals, location-wise; and
- (e)the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite approval and ensure expansion of ESIC medical facilities in Kerala?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a) & (b): The in-principle approvals, granted earlier, for establishment of 08 ESI dispensaries in Kerala have been withdrawn on 20.02.2026. These dispensaries could not be operationalized for more  than  three  years  from  the  date  of  approval  due  to  nonavailability  of  suitable  land/premises  and  non-sanction  of  required manpower by the  State  Government  of  Kerala.  The  details  are  at Annexure-I.
- (c) & (d): No proposal has been received from the Government of Kerala for setting up of new ESIC clinics, hospitals or medical/AYUSH institutions, ayurveda medical colleges. However two proposals have been received from Members of Parliament. Details are at AnnexureII

(e): At  present,  ESIC  medical  services  in  Kerala  are  being provided  through  9  ESIS  Hospitals,  3  ESIC  Hospitals,  147  ESIS Dispensaries  and  2  Diagnostic  Centres  (DCBOs).  In  addition,  54 private hospitals are empanelled  for  providing  super-speciality treatment and 46 hospitals for speciality treatment to ESI beneficiaries in the State.

ESIC has already accorded establishment of a 100-bedded ESIC  Hospital in Idukki district of Kerala, which  will further strengthen and expand ESIC medical facilities in the State.

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b) OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3845  FOR  16.03.2026  BY  SHRI  KODIKUNNIL SURESH REGARDING CANCELLATION OF NEW ESIC CLINICS IN KERALA.

|   Sl. No. | State   | District           | Location        | Date of approval   | Date of withdrawal   |
|-----------|---------|--------------------|-----------------|--------------------|----------------------|
|         1 | Kerala  | Wayanad            | Sulthan Bethary | 18.02.2019         | 20.02.2026           |
|         2 | Kerala  | Wayanad            | Mananthavady    | 18.02.2019         | 20.02.2026           |
|         3 | Kerala  | Kozhikode          | Balusseri       | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |
|         4 | Kerala  | Pathanamthitta     | Ranni           | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |
|         5 | Kerala  | Palakkad           | Kottaanad       | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |
|         6 | Kerala  | Kozhikode          | Thamarasseri    | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |
|         7 | Kerala  | Ernakulam          | Koothattukulam  | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |
|         8 | Kerala  | Thiruvananthapuram | Venjaramoodu    | 02.06.2021         | 20.02.2026           |

Source: ESIC HQ.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY  TO  PARTS  (c)  &  (d) OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3845  FOR  16.03.2026  BY  SHRI  KODIKUNNIL SURESH REGARDING CANCELLATION OF NEW ESIC CLINICS IN KERALA.

| Name of Hon'ble Member of Parliament                              | Proposals received by ESIC                                                                           | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Shri N.K. Premachandran, Hon'ble Member of Parliaments, Lok Sabha | Upgradation of ESIC Model & Super Speciality Hospital, Asramam, Kollam into a Medical College.       | The proposal for establishment of ESIC Medical College at Kollam has been approved in the 196 th meeting of the ESIC Corporation.                                                                                                                             |
| Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, Hon'ble Member of Parliaments, Lok Sabha  | Establishment of a full- fledged Ayurveda Medical College at ESIC Hospital, Ezhukone, Kollam, Kerala | The existing ESIC AYUSH Policy does not provide for establishment of AYUSH Medical Colleges. The policy, however, provides for establishment of a 50-bedded ESIC AYUSH Hospital within an existing 500- bedded ESIC Allopathic Hospital on co-location basis. |

Source: ESIC HQ.

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