Odisha Govt Enhances Worker Welfare with Increased Benefits and Medical Support Initiatives

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to bolster the welfare of workers in Odisha, the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has announced increased benefits for construction workers and enhanced wage structures for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled laborers. The Cabinet has approved an increase in accidental death benefits for construction workers from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh and natural death benefits from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Wages for unskilled laborers will rise to Rs 450, semi-skilled laborers to Rs 500, skilled workers to Rs 550, and highly skilled workers to Rs 600—a notable increase from their previous wages of Rs 352, Rs 392, Rs 442, and Rs 502, respectively.

During the 85th Regional Board meeting of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Labour and ESI Minister Ganesh Ram Sing Khuntia emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the state and central governments to ensure the success of the ESI scheme. He noted that the scheme has already been implemented in 29 districts, with proposals for implementation in Boudh district currently in progress.

Khuntia expressed the government’s commitment to providing medical benefits to workers across the state, stating, “We require to provide cash benefits such as death pensions, accidental pensions, maternity benefits, and sickness benefits to them.” He outlined the importance of ensuring hassle-free treatment at ESI dispensaries and hospitals, with a focus on primary, secondary, and super-specialty care.

Highlighting recent developments, Khuntia mentioned that the ESIC will now facilitate access to super-specialty treatments for insured persons (IPs) through a convergence program with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, during the 194th meeting of the Corporation held on October 8, 2024, approved the establishment of 10 new ESIC medical colleges across various states. Khuntia announced plans to propose the establishment of a medical college on a 25-acre plot in Andharua, Bhubaneswar in the next meeting of the Corporation.

The meeting included participation from various officials and stakeholders, including Vijay Amrit Kulange, Labor Commissioner, and Ashok Kumar Panda, Director of the ESI Scheme. They discussed critical issues such as upgrading the Rourkela Model ESI Hospital to a 200-bedded super-specialty hospital, enhancing the Chandrashekharpur Hospital, and ensuring adequate supply of medicines at 12 new dispensaries established by ESIC.

Key topics also included increasing medical staff at hospitals, improving facilities in areas surrounding NALCO, NTPC, and TTPS Talcher, and expanding coverage to transport workers, ASHA workers, and others in the unorganized sector.