Advisor Moatoshi chairing the 2nd Nagaland Regional Board Meeting on August 12. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, August 13 (MExN): The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) held its 2nd Nagaland Regional Board Meeting on Wednesday, during which the Chairman stressed the need to set up a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital in the state.
The meeting, held at the Labour Commissioner's Office in the Secretariat, Kohima on August 12, was chaired by Moatoshi Longkumer, Chairman of the ESIC Regional Board, Nagaland, who is also Advisor for Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Excise, a DIPR report said.
The Chairman directed the State Labour Department & requested Employers and Employees representative to extend cooperation to ESIC in registration of establishments and Insured Persons (IPs), with the objective of achieving the target of 15,000 Insured Persons, which would facilitate the establishment of a 100-bedded hospital in the State.
The Chairman further emphasised the Regional Board Meeting should be conducted once every six months for regular review and monitoring of the implementation of the ESI Scheme in Nagaland.
Detailed discussions were also held on the engagement of doctors and paramedical staff at enhanced remuneration to strengthen medical services under the ESI Scheme.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Nagaland State Government and ESIC, along with representatives of employers and employees.
Robert Longchari, Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment Department and Vice Chairman of the Regional Board; Avile Vitso, Ex-Officio Member and CEO, ESI Scheme; and Dr Tinento James Katiwa, Representative of the Health Department, attended the meeting from State Government.
Pranay Sinha, Insurance Commissioner (NE Zone) and Invitee Member; Champak Biswas, Member Secretary & Regional Director; Dr Hiranmayee Sarma, Ex-Officio Member & State Medical Officer; Ahtesham, Deputy Director; and Dr Bhumidahar Barman, Nodal Officer represented ESIC.
Robert Longchari, Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, informed the Board that the Department would identify suitable land for opening ESIC Branch Offices at Tuensang, Mokokchung and Mon. He further stated that suitable premises could be hired temporarily until the land is allotted to ESIC.
Pranay Sinha, Insurance Commissioner (NE Zone) and Invitee Member, briefed the Board on the Ward of IP Scheme. He also highlighted the various benefits available under the ESI Scheme and requested the concerned authorities to take necessary steps for early formation of the ESI Society.
Champak Biswas, Regional Director, ESIC, suggested that the State Labour Department to coordinate with the Social Security Officers (SSOs) for expediting the registration of eligible employers and employees under the ESI Scheme.
Avile Vitso, CEO, ESI Scheme, informed that the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research has approached the Health Department for approval to enter into an MoU with ESIC for delivery of medical services to beneficiaries under the ESI Scheme.
The representatives of employers and employees also put forward several suggestions during the meeting. Bithungo Kikon, Employers’ additional Representative emphasized the need to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the Labour Department to supervise and facilitate the registration of employers under the ESI Scheme. He also stressed the importance of conducting more awareness programmes and health camps to educate the public about the benefits and coverage of the ESI Scheme.
Employees’ representative, Khamgaipu Kamei, suggested that the State Government may issue an appropriate directive to employers to ensure the mandatory registration of eligible establishments and employees under the ESI Scheme.
The meeting was followed by the opening of the ESIC Branch Office at Kohima, located on the second floor of the Labour Commissioner’s Office premises. The office was inaugurated by Moatoshi Longkumer, Advisor, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland.
