ESIC increases confinement expenses to Rs 7500

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has hiked the confinement expenses amount given to pregnant women, by about 50 per cent. The amount, which was earlier Rs 5000, has now been raised to Rs 7500. This increment has been done factoring in the rise in the cost of living index, which has caused a hike in expenditure related to confinement. This was announced during the 181st meeting of the ESI Corporation recently. A written press statement was issued to this effect, by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Pregnant women, who are unable to avail the maternity services offered by ESIC dispensaries and hospitals owing to certain unavoidable reasons, and are forced to seek treatment elsewhere, are entitled to receive confinement expenses.

At the same meeting, ESIC approved the “operationalization of EWS quota and admissions to ESIC medical institutions with effect from the academic year 2020-21.” In addition, provisional Admission Policy-2020 for admission to MBBS/BDS seats under the category/quota of insured persons’ (IPs) in ESIC Medical Colleges has also received approval.

All employees who receive a monthly wage of up to Rs 21,000 are offered ESI cover. That is, they are entitled to health and insurance cover, as well as other benefits under the ESI Act. This Act covers more than 12.11 lakh factories and establishment in India. Its benefits are being enjoyed by approx. 3.49 crore families of employees. That means, more than 13.56 crore people are availing the benefits offered by ESIC.