ESIC to implement survey for dispensary in Singur

Kolkata: The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to commission a pre-implementation survey in Singur, the site of Tata Motors’ small car factory, to open a medical service dispensary there, Mr B.K. Sahu, Addl. Commissioner and Regional Director, ESIC said here on Wednesday at an interactive session organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The dispensary will extend medical facilities to workers in the Tata plant and other factories in the region, he said.

“The pre-implementation survey will start in the beginning of March and we plan to wrap it up by March 31. It will examine the employability in all the factories proposed in the area, so that we can keep our infrastructure ready before the Central government issues notification in this regard,” Mr Sahu said.

A task force formed to conduct the survey will submit its proposals to the State Government on completion of the work. The pre-implementation survey will be followed by a detailed one if needed, he said. ESIC also plans to open a cash benefit office, besides the service dispensary to provide medical benefits to insured workers.

It is projected that the Tata Motor’s car factory in Singur will provide direct employment to almost 2000 people and indirect employment to another 8000.

A large portion of this workforce can be brought under the gamut of ESIC’s services, Mr Sahu said.

ESIC will also be conducting a census in the State across different industries in April to examine the status of employees.

It is also collaborating with the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata to train mannerisms to over 720 paramedical staff, he added.