The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ESIC offers to build a medical college

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

ESIC offers to build a medical college

Special Correspondent

It will be for the benefit of children of workers

It is eyeing the land of Mysore Lamps, which has been declared a sick unit
The initial intake for the medical course is likely to be fixed at 60 students

BANGALORE: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation of India has proposed to set up a medical college in Karnataka for the benefit of the children of workers, including beedi workers and construction workers.

Announcing this at a meeting of officials of the Karnataka Labour Department convened here on Saturday to review the implementation of some labour welfare schemes, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said it was the first time that the ESIC had sought to establish a medical college.

The proposal was to have an intake of 60 students if the State Government allotted land to it. The ESIC was keen on starting the college in the land belonging to the State-owned Mysore Lamps which was a “sick” enterprise.

Karnataka Labour Minister B.N. Bachche Gowda welcomed the proposal of the ESIC and said he would bring the issue before the State Cabinet after discussing it with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Mr. Fernandes said the ESIC had decided to commence postgraduation courses for doctors working in the ESI hospitals.

Across the country, 400 ESI doctors would get the benefit of pursuing post-graduate courses.

It had been decided to set up a new ESI hospital in Peenya of Bangalore. The foundation stone for the hospital would be laid in about a week if the State Government provided concessions such as stamp-duty waiver for this work, he said. The construction of the hospital was likely to be completed in 12 to 18 months.

Mine workers

Expressing concern over the pathetic condition of workers in mining sector, Mr. Fernandes said he had directed the officials concerned to come out with a scheme to provide social and health security to the mining workers. Karnataka had nearly 41,000 mining workers, including 8,000 workers from 70 iron ore mines, 15,000 workers from 1,580 stone quarries, 2,000 from 95 limestone mines and 1,500 from 110 granite quarries.

Mr. Fernandes said under the scheme to develop the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) as centres of excellence, the Centre had decided to sanction 10 new ITIs to Karnataka. This would be located in taluks which did not have them such as Sirsi, Joida, Aland, Koppa, Sringeri, Gudibande, Koratagere, Siddapura, Yellapur and Ankola.

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