Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs Key 197th Session of ESIC in the Capital

New Delhi, December 11, 2025- Union Labour & Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 197th meeting of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in New Delhi. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje was also present.

The Corporation approved several major proposals aimed at widening ESIC’s healthcare network, enhancing infrastructure and strengthening service delivery for insured workers across the country.

During the meeting, ESIC cleared the Annual Accounts for 2024–25, the CAG audit report, and the Annual Report for 2024–25. These documents outline the financial performance and operational assessment of the Corporation for the previous year.

The Board also approved the Revised Estimates for 2025–26, Budget Estimates for 2026–27, and the Performance Budget for 2026–27. These financial plans detail ESIC’s expected expenditure, resource allocation, and performance targets for the coming years.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of land acquisition proposals for new hospitals and dispensaries across multiple states. The Corporation sanctioned land for healthcare facilities in Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Odisha, Telangana, and Punjab.

These approvals include land for upcoming hospitals ranging from 30 beds to 350 beds, along with dispensaries and DCBOs, ensuring wider coverage and improved access to medical services for beneficiaries.

ESIC also presented updates on its new policy for empanelment of government and autonomous medical institutions such as AIIMS, ILBS, and Tata Memorial Centre. This will enable beneficiaries to access cashless treatment through formal agreements.

Further updates were shared on land acquisition progress for facilities in Punjab and Gujarat. Officers also reviewed the expansion of the ESI Scheme, which now covers 713 out of 779 districts across the country as of November 2025.

The meeting reported updated coverage numbers, including 3.24 crore employees, 3.84 crore insured persons, over 83 lakh insured women, and a total of 14.91 crore beneficiaries as of March 2025.

The Corporation also recommended extending NIL user charges at ESIC Medical Colleges in Alwar, Bihta, Ranchi, and Varanasi until March 31, 2027, due to continued reliance on non-IP patients for clinical training requirements.

The meeting was attended by MP Dola Sen, Labour Secretary Vandana Gurnani, ESIC Director General Ashok Kumar Singh, senior state officials, and representatives of employers and employees.