Uttar Pradesh Expands ESI Coverage to 15 More Districts, Strengthening Social Security for Workers

With this expansion, Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in social welfare by bringing 74 out of the state's 75 districts under the umbrella of the ESI Scheme.

In a major move to enhance social security for workers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, announced that the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has expanded its coverage to include 15 additional districts in Uttar Pradesh under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme. This strategic expansion ensures that nearly all districts in the state are now covered by the scheme, which aims to provide comprehensive social security benefits to workers.

Comprehensive Coverage Across Uttar Pradesh

With this expansion, Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in social welfare by bringing 74 out of the state's 75 districts under the umbrella of the ESI Scheme. The newly included districts—Ambedkar Nagar, Auraiya, Bahraich, Gonda, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Kannauj, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Pilibhit, Siddharthnagar, Shamli, Pratapgarh, Kasganj, and Shravasti—will benefit from enhanced healthcare and social security services, ensuring better support for workers across the state. The move will cover 30.08 lakh Insured Persons (IPs) and 1.16 crore beneficiaries.

These additions have been instrumental in enhancing the accessibility and reach of the ESIC network. As a result, a total of 53,987 new Insured Persons have now been added to the coverage, ensuring more workers can avail themselves of medical care and other benefits.

National Expansion Efforts

Nationwide, the ESI Scheme has been successfully rolled out across a significant number of districts. As of now, 689 districts across India are covered, with 586 fully notified districts and 103 partially notified ones. While the implementation is progressing well, 89 districts still remain uncovered. This expansion aligns with the government's broader goal of achieving universal social security coverage for all workers, regardless of their geographical location.

Strategic Measures to Cover Remaining Uncovered Areas

The government is actively working to extend the scheme's coverage to the remaining non-notified districts. The ESIC has initiated several measures to address these areas, including:

1. Collaboration with State Governments: Coordinating with state authorities to ensure the availability of medical care in non-implemented areas.

2. Utilizing Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs): These centers will play a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to workers in areas not yet fully covered by the ESI Scheme.

3. Integration with Ayushman Bharat PMJAY: The government has facilitated integration with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to offer cashless medical treatment for ESIC beneficiaries without any expenditure limits.

These efforts aim to create a robust framework for workers across the nation, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to essential health and social security services.

Key Benefits under the ESIC Scheme

The Employees' State Insurance Scheme provides workers with a wide range of benefits designed to improve their well-being and support them in times of need. The major benefits under the scheme include:

1. Medical Benefits: Workers and their families are entitled to primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare, ensuring access to high-quality medical services when needed.

2. Cash Benefits: These include support for sickness, temporary and permanent disablement, maternity leave (26 weeks), dependent benefits, and funeral expenses.

3. Unemployment Allowance: The ESIC Scheme also provides financial relief to workers who lose their jobs through initiatives such as the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) and the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY), which offer unemployment allowances to eligible workers.

Future Plans and Commitment to Expansion

The government is committed to ensuring that every worker across India benefits from the ESIC Scheme. As part of its continued efforts to strengthen the social security network, the ESIC will work on further extending coverage to the remaining non-notified districts, ensuring that all workers, regardless of location, can access vital social security benefits.

This expansion also reflects the government's vision of building a robust welfare system, where workers’ health and security are prioritized. By extending the ESIC coverage to these new districts, the government has further solidified its promise of ensuring a secure and stable future for workers in India.

In conclusion, the ESIC's expansion in Uttar Pradesh, coupled with nationwide initiatives, is a crucial step toward creating a more inclusive and resilient social security framework for Indian workers. The coverage of 15 new districts will provide a much-needed safety net for thousands of workers and their families, promoting greater well-being and stability across the nation.