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EPFO and ESIC to launch special drive

Special Correspondent

To get more workers under their coverage

Four ESI hospitals get ISO certification
ESI to set up medical colleges, training institutes

NEW DELHI: A special drive will be undertaken by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to bring in more workers under their coverage.

This was stated by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) Oscar Fernandes at a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry here on Wednesday.

Apprising the committee members of the initiatives taken by the government, the Minister said appointment of four fund managers in place of one would bring in greater efficiency and higher returns for the EPFO. For more efficiency, the EPFO was implementing a project ‘Reinventing EPF India.’ Its first phase would be completed within the next 10-12 months.

This would speed up data and record compilation of EPF and make it more transparent.

Steps were being contemplated to strengthen the grievance redressal machinery and to restructure the organisation.

Modernisation

Mr. Fernandes said the ESIC had decided to modernise its entire service delivery by implementing a comprehensive IT Roll Out plan.

All ESI hospitals would strive to get ISO certification. The process had started and four hospitals have obtained the certification.

Preventive healthcare

An action plan was on to strengthen preventive and promotive healthcare, including occupational health. It had been decided to constitute Hospitals Development Committees for all ESI hospitals in the country. They would have representatives of the stakeholders to monitor the functioning.

The ESI had decided to set up its own medical colleges and training institutes for paramedical staff and nursing staff. Besides commissioning a super-speciality hospital in Kollam (Kerala), another one was being set up in Hyderabad.

Amnesty scheme

The Minister said that in order to reduce the pendency of prosecution cases against employers and employees, an amnesty scheme was being implemented from the beginning of this year till the year-end.

Under the scheme, there was a provision for withdrawal of cases if all the dues were paid along with interest and reduced damages.

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