More Businesses Now Under ESI Act

The state government has extended the provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act to establishments employing ten or more persons for the preceding one year.

This decision was taken in consultation with the Employees State Insurance Corporation and with the approval of the Central Government, said the Information Commissioner on Saturday.

Effectively, the decision will bring (i) shops; (ii) hotels; (iii) restaurants; (iv) Road Motor Transport establishments; (v) cinemas including preview theatres; (vi) newspaper establishments; (vii) educational institutions (including public, private, aided and partially aided) run by individuals, trustees, societies or other organizations; and (viii) medical institutions (including corporate, joint section, trust, charitable and private ownership hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centres and pathological labs; under the Act's ambit.

This will be applicable in all areas where the provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, have already been brought into force under Section 1(3) of the Act. (INN)