NEW DELHI: In the context of Covid, ESI beneficiaries have been allowed temporary relaxation in the conditions for medical benefit.

The criteria to work at least 78 days to avail the benefit in the allotted period has been reduced to 39 days. The criteria to work at least 70 days in the allotted period to get maternity benefit up to six months has been reduced to 35. The exemption is until March 21.

The decision was taken at an ESI meeting chaired by Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

The Delhi High Court ruling that eligibility for super specialty treatment benefits should be available from the time of joining the ESI will be implemented. Board member V Radhakrishnan said the Labour Minister had made it clear that a decision to allow high-paid workers to remain in the ESI on the basis Rs 21,000 limit, will be taken in the next meeting. Dispensaries at Kollam Navaikkulam, Thrissur Koratti and Ernakulam Aluva will be set up on their own premises soon. The number of beds in the staff hospital will be increased to 300.

The amount to be sanctioned to the ESI Regional Director for annual repairs and special construction work has been increased from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 5 crore. This will benefit Kerala which has many projects. It was decided to appoint a committee consisting of government, labour and employer in the states to evaluate the ESI activities and rectify the deficiencies.