Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 19: An awareness seminar was organised by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Jammu & Kashmir Region, at Bari Brahmana to disseminate the information about the ESI Scheme and latest changes brought therein, among the cluster of employers and employees in the area.
The programme was attended by over 30 employers and employees and their representatives from Bari Brahmana area. Lalit Mahajan, president, Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA), was the chief guest. Dr. Om Prakash, State Medical Commissioner, ESIC Jammu presided over the seminar.
Deputy Director Sindo Ram gave an overview of various benefits available in the ESI Scheme and Sunil Kumar touched upon the provisions related prompt registration of employees and payment of contribution in order to seamlessly ensure benefits for the covered employees. They also apprised the audience about certain changes made in the scheme.
On changes made in the provisions of the scheme, the employers and employees and their representatives expressed their serious concern. They termed such changes being against the interest of the ESI beneficiaries. They said that there was no dearth of funds for spending on medical treatment and cash benefit to the beneficiary employee and ESIC should not curtail any beneficial provisions of the ESI Scheme. These were termed by them as hurting the interests of the employees. They demanded roll back of the same.
The stakeholders, however, appreciated the services rendered by ESIC in Jammu and Kashmir. Sunil Bhadauria, GM (HR), Uflex, Bari Brahmana, Jammu recounted case of severe burn of Vikrant Jandyal, an employee of his company, who was fully treated and reimbursed under the ESI Scheme and rehabilitated. He stated that the ESI Scheme is the best in the world.
Regional Director, ESIC, Jammu Arvind Kumar stated that last year around 18000 benefit issues were settled involving payment of Rs.10.12 crores, which included over 4000 cases of medical treatments including super speciality facilities made available to the beneficiaries. He also stated that ESIC Jammu and Kashmir has ensured one of the highest payout ratio as well, by prompt settlement of claims including medical reimbursements, despite shortage of staff for past several years.
State Medical Commissioner Dr. Om Prakash advised the stakeholders to get the appropriate mode of transportation like ambulance, etc prescribed with justification by the referring doctor for reimbursement of the same. He also stated that in case of pendency of any bill lying with any ESI Dispensary the same may be got forwarded to him for clearance and he would ensure zero pendency.
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