State Govt. urged to establish ESI Society for the smooth running of ESI hospitals

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, February 13, 2025: Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt. Brijesh Chowta on Wednesday, February 12, urged Karnataka Labour Department to forthwith establish Employees State Insurance (ESI) Society for the smooth running of ESI hospitals in the State, including the one in Mangaluru.

In a letter to Labour Minister Santosh Lad, the MP said ESI Corporation Director General Ashok Kumar Singh recently informed him that the State government has to establish a separate society to streamline administration of ESI hospitals in the State. This would also facilitate appropriate utilisation of funds released from the Union Labour Ministry towards ESI hospitals, the Director General had told Capt. Chowta.

The MP told the Minister that as per the Director General’s information, the Karnataka Labour Department was yet to form the society despite letters in this regard by the ESIC. Hence, it was necessary to establish the society comprising the Chief Secretary and the Secretary to Labour Department at the helm of its affairs.

Capt. Chowta said the palpable poor service at ESI hospitals were personally felt by him when he made a surprise visit to the hospital in Mangaluru on January 1. As against the sanctioned capacity of 100 beds for inpatients, only 70 were available. While the sanctioned strength of medical officers was 28, only five were working. The eligible working class was getting only general treatment at the hospital while they were forced to approach other hospitals for major health complications, including delivery, the MP regretted.

The MP told the Minister to take immediate steps to establish the society in the interest of the working class. If necessary, he would meet the Minister to appraise him of the developments, Capt. Chowta said in the letter.