| |
 |
History |
|
History: |
|
The Employees' State Insurance Scheme was introduced in the State of Gujarat in the year 1964. The scheme was first introduced to Ahmedabad city and its suburbs and later on extended to most of the industrial centres like Baroda, Surat, Ankleshwar etc. Keeping in view of the better administration of the scheme and the convenience of the beneficiaries/employers, Gujarat Region was trifurcated in the year 2000. Sub Regional Office, Vadodara started Functioning from 20-10-2000. SRO Vadodara is entrusted with the administration of ESI Scheme in seven districtso of central Gujarat viz. Vadodara, Panchmahal, Kheda, Bharuch, Anand, Dahod and Narmada. With the implementation of the scheme in Channi and Bajwa w.e.f. 1-06-2006, the scheme is presently notified in 10 centres convering 195817 Insured Persons (as on 31-03-2008 employed in 5776 factories/establishments. The Cash benefits are provided through a net work of 08 Branch Offices and 04 Pay Offices of ESI Corporation. Medical Benefits are provided through a net work of 17 ESI Dispensaries and 02 ESI Hospitals under Vadodara sub Region. |
|
|
The Scheme: |
|
|
The promulgation of Employees' State Insurance Act, by the Parliament, in 1948, was the first major legislation on comperhensive Social Security for workers in independent India. The Act envisage social, protection of workers deployed in the organized sector in conceivable sontingencies, such as sickness, maternity and death or disablement due to employment injury. Based on the principle of "Pooling Of Risks And Resources", the unique, multidimensional health insurance scheme guarantees a fair deal to the covered members by providing full medical facilities to the beneficiaries, besides, adequate cash compensation to insured persons for loss of wages or earning capacity in times of physical distress arising out of sickness or employment injury. |
|
|
Applicability: |
|
|
The ESI Act applies to non-seasonal, power using factories or manufacturing units employing ten or more persons and non power using establishment employing twenty or more persons. Under the enabling provisions of the Act, a factory or an establishment located in a geographical area notified for implementation of the scheme, falls under the preview of the Act. Employees of the aforesaid categories of factories and establishments, but drawing wages only upto Rs. 10,000/- a month, are entitled to health insurance cover under the ESI Act. The wage ceiling for purpose of coverage is revised form time to time to keep pace with rising Cost of living and subsequent wage hikes. The present wage ceiling of Rs.10,000/- has been in force form 1-10-06. |
|
|
Administration: |
|
|
The comprehensive and multi-pronged social security programme is administered by an apex corporate body called the Employees' State Insurance Corporation. It comprises members, representing vital interest groups that include, employees, employers, the Central and State Govts. Besides, representatives of Parliament and medical profession. The Corporation is headed by the Union Minister of Labour, as its Chairman, whereas the Director General, appointed by the Central Govt. functions as its chief executive officer.The broad based corporate body is, primarily responsible for coordinated policy planning and decision making for growth, development and efficacy of the Scheme. A standing committee, constituted from amongst the members of the Corporation, acts as an executive body, The Medical Benefit Council, constituted by the Central govt. is yet another statutory body that advises the Corporation on matters related to effective delivery of medical services to the beneficiary population. The Corporation with its central Hqrs. at New Delhi operates though a network of Regional/Sub Regional and Divisional offices located in various states and is under the administrative control of Union Labour Ministry, Govt. of India. |
|
|
|
