The Employees' State Insurance Corporation holds its second Nagaland Regional Board meeting and opens a new branch office in Kohima.
DIMAPUR — The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Regional Office for the North-Eastern Region conducted its second Nagaland Regional Board meeting at the Labour Commissioner’s Office in Kohima on August 12.
The meeting was chaired by Moatoshi Longkumer, Chairman of the ESIC Regional Board, Nagaland, and Advisor for Labour, Employment and Skill Development and Excise.
It was attended by senior officials of the Nagaland government and ESIC, along with representatives of employers and employees, according to a DIPR report.
Robert Longchari, Commissioner and Secretary for the Labour and Employment Department and Vice Chairman of the Regional Board; Avile Vitso, Ex-Officio Member and CEO of the ESI Scheme; and Dr. Tinento James Katiwa, representative of the Health department, attended the meeting on behalf of the state government.
ESIC was represented by Pranay Sinha, Insurance Commissioner (NE Zone) and Invitee Member; Champak Biswas, Member Secretary and Regional Director; Dr. Hiranmayee Sarma, Ex-Officio Member and State Medical Officer; Ahtesham, Deputy Director; and Dr. Bhumidahar Barman, Nodal Officer.
During the meeting, the chairman highlighted the need for establishing a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital in Nagaland. He directed the State Labour department and requested employers' and employees' representatives to extend cooperation to ESIC in the registration of establishments and insured persons (IPs), aiming to achieve a target of 15,000 insured persons to facilitate the establishment of the hospital in the state.
The meeting also featured detailed discussions on the engagement of doctors and paramedical staff at enhanced remuneration to strengthen medical services under the ESI Scheme. The chairman further urged that the regional board meeting be conducted once every six months for regular review and monitoring of the ESI Scheme's implementation in Nagaland.
Robert Longchari informed the board that the department would identify suitable land for opening ESIC branch offices in Tuensang, Mokokchung, and Mon. He stated that suitable premises could be hired temporarily until the land is allotted to ESIC.
Pranay Sinha 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 the early formation of the ESI Society.
Champak Biswas suggested that the Labour department coordinate with the social security officers (SSOs) to expedite the registration of eligible employers and employees under the ESI Scheme.
Avile Vitso informed that the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research has approached the Health department for approval to enter into an MoU with ESIC for the delivery of medical services to beneficiaries under the ESI Scheme.
Among the representatives, Bithungo Kikon, employers' additional representative, suggested constituting 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 issue an appropriate directive to employers to ensure mandatory registration of eligible establishments and employees under the ESI Scheme.
The meeting was followed by the opening of the ESIC branch office in Kohima, located on the second floor of the Labour Commissioner’s Office premises. The office was inaugurated by Moatoshi Longkumer.