Mohali, Jan 4 (KNN) Despite several representations made before the department as well as the central government, medical facilities at the Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for the ESIC insured MSME workers in Mohali continue to remain pathetic, Mohali Industries Association informed.

Talking to KNN, Jasbir Singh, Chairman of Mohali Industries Association (MIA) informed of the situation

“While the Corporation wants the industry to pay insurance premium on time, and if a unit fails to do so, the corporation charges a penalty and a 12 per cent interest, but when it comes to delivery of facilities, it turns its face away”, Singh said.

The corporation have been brought to the court earlier by the industry association in different litigations wherein the corporation was instructed to pay for compensations as well as reimbursements, Singh said.

Earlier the Mohali District Association filed a PIL against the Union of India and other respondents alleging that the amount is being collected from the poor industry workers as insurance premiums by the ESIC.

But when it comes to providing health facilities to the workers, there are no proper facilities in place at the ESIC hospitals in the region, because of which the workers have to approach private hospitals for treatments and then wait for an uncertain duration of time to get their reimbursements.

The next hearing of the PIL is scheduled for 16^th January, Singh informed. (KNN/DA)