Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 25: The first ever meeting of ESIC Local Committee, Srinagar was held today at Lala Rukh, Srinagar under the chairmanship of Anil Sharma, KAS, Special Secretary, Ministry of L&E, Government of J&K in which Gulam Rasool Kumar, Deputy Labour Commissioner, Sanjay Bhat, Assistant Labour Commissioner and A.D. Singh, Administrative Medical Officer ESI Scheme, J&K, doctors M. Zahoor, Yasmeen and Mudasir Sultana from ESI dispensaries Rangreth, Zainakote and Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan attended besides Dr. V.P. Mathur, State Medical Commissioner and Arvind Kumar, Regional Director, ESIC Jammu & Kashmir Region as special invitees.
Mohammd Rafiq and Nisar Bhat of Khyber Industries and G.H. Bhat, Ahdoos hotel attended as representatives of employers and employees. The local committee meeting was conducted by Kunal Kumar, Member Secretary/Branch Manager, ESIC, Branch Office, Srinagar.
Several important issues were discussed in the meeting and important decisions were made to improve the services being provided under ESI Scheme in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama districts which included the medical facilities being provided through 4 ESI dispensaries in these areas and further requirements in these places. Few members raised concern on non-availability of any ESI doctor at Khonmoh, a major industrial area, since September, 2012 after retirement of last doctor which acted as impediment in proper delivery of services and benefits under the Scheme.
Employer and employee representatives complained that even though ESIC Model Dispensary and Diagnostic Centre (MDDC) has been approved at Khonmoh Dispensary in 2011, no concrete steps have been taken by concerned authorities to make the same functional till date.
Regional director stated that the proposal for posting of doctors for ESIC MDDC, Khonmoh has been sent to ESIC Headquarters office for early action so that the sufferings of the beneficiaries are addressed at the earliest.
The doctors of ESI Dispensaries demanded full implementation of computerization of the dispensaries which is pending for over 4 years.
The Committee also requested authorities of Labour & Employment Department, Govt. of J&K to make formal requests to JKSIDCO and SICOP authorities for providing more spacious accommodation for ESI Dispensaries Rangreth and Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan. Officers of Labour & Employment Department, Govt. of J&K assured to take up the issue.
ESIC Local Committee also requested for ambulance services for ESI Scheme beneficiaries of Srinagar and endorsed survey of Gulmarg and Pahalgam for exploring feasibility of implementing ESI Scheme there for the welfare of working employees of organized sectors there.
Special Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, Govt. of J&K assured full support from Govt. of J&K for improvement in ESI facilities in the State and also assured to take up all the pending issues with ESIC Head Office for early clearance thereof. |
