• The ESI Scheme is a multipurpose Health Insurance and Social Security Scheme for industrial workers and their family members under the ESI Act, 1948.
• The ESI Scheme was implemented in Odisha on 30.01.1960. At present the whole State is covered under ESI Scheme under programme ESI Corporation – 2.0 providing social security coverage to 7,53,000 (IPS.). There are 4 ESI Hospitals & 41 ESI Dispensaries functioning in Odisha under ESI scheme.
• The ESI Act applies to all factories/establishment employing 10 or more persons and drawing wages up to Rs.21,000/- per month. The covered employees (Insured Persons) contribute 0.75% of their wages whereas their employer contribute 3.25% to ESI Corporation every month. The total health care of the beneficiaries is the sole aim of the ESI Scheme

Benefits Extended:

• Sickness Benefit
• Enhanced Sickness Benefit
• Dependants’ Benefit
• Physical Rehabilitation Allowances
• Vocational (Occupational) Rehabilitation Scheme
• Reimbursement claims of Medicines.
• Extended Sickness Benefit
• Maternity Benefit
• Funeral Expenses

The ESI Corporation has enhanced ceiling of expenditure to Rs.3,000/- per IP per annum from 2017-18 onwards out of which Rs.1,300/- has been earmarked towards expenditure on medical care per Insured Person per annum. The per capita expenditure up to the ceiling is shared between the ESI Corporation and the State Government in the agreed ratio of 7:1 whereas the expenditure beyond the ceiling is entirely borne by the State Government. ESIC in their MOU dated 19/02/2018 decided that, the funding of 100% shall be for three years and on actual expenditure made by State Govt. or the ceiling amount, which was in force up to 2021-22.

Enhancement of I.P. strength:

No. of Insured Persons/women’s under the ESI Scheme as on 31.03.2019 was 6,81,981 & as on 31.03.2020 was 7,41,390. The total IPS/IWs increased to 7,53,600 as on 31.03.2021.