ESI beneficiaries set to avail medical care with Ayushman Bharat scheme

NEW DELHI: Through the new labour codes, workers in the unorganised sector covered by the ESI scheme will be included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and treatment will be ensured. The decision was taken at a meeting of the ESI Corporation chaired by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Along with extending the scheme to more people, the government has also assured that a decision to increase the ESI salary limit from Rs 21,000 will be taken soon, said ESI board member and BMS leader S. Durairaj.

The ESI referral system will be improved in collaboration with charitable hospitals, including Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram and Sathya Sai Baba Trust.

Deficiencies in the dispensaries will be addressed. Ayurvedic medicines will be made available. Steps will also be taken to address the shortage of staff in ESI institutions. The ESI scheme has been implemented in 713 out of the total 779 districts in the country. As of March 2025, the scheme now has 14.91 crore subscribers, including 3.84 crore members and their dependents.