By Anita Shukla
Mumbai: Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has directed officials to immediately submit a proposal to bring ASHA workers and National Health Mission (NHM) contractual employees earning less than ₹21,000 per month under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS). The move is expected to provide healthcare and social security benefits to thousands of low-income health workers and their families.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting at the Ministry attended by senior officials, including Health Secretary E. Ravindran, ESIS Commissioner Ramesh Chavan, NHM Director and Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar, Additional Commissioner Dr. Sunil Bhokare, Health Director Dr. Vijay Kandewad, and ESIS Director Soham Wayal.
The meeting also discussed extending ESIS coverage to employees earning below ₹21,000 in cooperative credit societies, ration shops, private schools, self-employment organisations and public libraries.
Maharashtra currently has around 84,000 ASHA workers, who play a crucial role in delivering public health services. Contractual NHM employees and emergency medical service staff (108/102) also contribute significantly but often lack social security benefits due to the nature of their employment.
Minister Abitkar said the proposed expansion of ESIS would reduce the financial burden of medical expenses while providing protection during accidents, serious illnesses and maternity. He expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen both employee welfare and the state’s public healthcare system.
