Mohali District Consumer Forum slaps Rs 1,60,000 fine on ESIC Mohali over delays in reimbursement of medical bills of workers

Mohali, Aug 6 (KNN) In a big blow to Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), the District Consumer Forum of Mohali has penalized ESIC for as much as Rs One Lakh Sixty Thousand.

The fine has been slapped for eight consumer complaints filed by workers with industries in Mohali over excessive delays in reimbursement of medical bills.

Yogesh Sagar, President, Mohali Industries Association (MIA) said, “Eight workers working with different factories of Mohali had filed complaints in District Consumer Redressal Forum of Mohali for non-reimbursement of their medical bills by the ESIC authorities.”

He informed that the delay on the part of ESIC is between 1 to 5 years for which the District forum directed the Senior State Medical Commissioner, social security officer of ESIC and Director, Health Services of ESI, Senior Medical officer of ESI Hospital Mohali to pay Rs. 1,60,000 (one lakh sixty thousand) in eight cases as compensation and litigation cost on account of deficiency in services.

Talking to KNN India, Jasbir Singh-Chairman-Labour Laws Committee, MIA, gave details about the complaints filed by the workers.

Singh said, “Despite several representations made before ESIC Chandigarh as well as before ESIC’s Head Quarter in New Delhi regarding non-availability of medical benefits in ESI hospital Mohali, no efforts were made for improving the condition.”

“Time and again due to lack of facilities and poor infrastructure in ESI hospital Mohali the workers are forced to move to other hospitals for their medical needs which costs them heavily on their own pockets. They even have to wait for years to get reimbursement of their bills,” Singh said.

MIA has been requesting the ESI Authorities for opening ESI dispensaries at Phase 9, Chanalon, Sialba Majri, Banmajra and Gharuan.

However, no action has been taken by the ESIC authorities, Singh added.

Singh revealed that according to the balance sheet of ESIC available on its site, ESIC has incurred profit Rs. 5422.83 crore in 2014 which has increased substantially to Rs.6164.64 crore in 2016.

This, Singh said, shows that the profits of the ESIC has been increasing year on year and there is no dearth of money with the ESIC.

“Whereas when it comes to providing medical services to the insured workers the situation is pathetic and deteriorating year by year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singh said that GK Dhir, President , Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ,Mohali, while allowing the above said consumer complaints of the poor workers held SSMC, SSO of ESIC and DHS(ESI) ,SMO, ESI Hospital, Mohali responsible for deficiencies in services and ordered to pay Rs. 160000 as compensation and litigation cost in eight cases. 

Yogesh Sagar, President, MIA informed that MIA has been taking up the issues of poor medical facilities provided by ESI hospital Mohali and ESI dispensaries with various Departments and Ministries.

MIA informed that a PIL has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh alleging that nearly Rs. 10 crore per month is being collected from the insured workers working in Mohali.

He also informed that PIL filed by MIA has been shifted to the Court of Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and the next date of hearing is fixed for August 30, 2018. (KNN Bureau)