ESIC organizes Awareness Camp for traders, Industrialists

• Ved Sharma extends full support to ESIC scheme

JAMMU: In a significant step towards strengthening social security for workers, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) organized an awareness camp at Digiana, Jammu, aimed at sensitizing traders and industrialists about ESIC schemes and encouraging registration of their workforce. The event was spearheaded by the Regional Director of ESIC, along with Joint Director Dushyant Pandey, who addressed a gathering of business leaders and industrial unit representatives.

The primary focus of the camp was to inform employers about the ongoing ESIC registration scheme, under which employers can register their left-out employees without facing any penalties. This special initiative is valid from July 1 to December 31, 2025, and is aimed at bringing more workers, especially from the unorganized sector, under the ESIC umbrella to avail benefits such as medical care, maternity leave, disability support, and more.

The ESIC authorities emphasized the importance of ensuring social protection for all workers, especially those employed in small-scale industries. “The welfare of workers is a shared responsibility. By registering employees, employers not only comply with the law but also contribute to a healthier and more secure workforce,” said the Joint Director.

The event witnessed active participation from members of the J&K Small Scale Industrial Association, Digiana, which includes prominent office bearers: Jatinder Aul (President), Sanjay Chopra (Sr. Vice President), Anil Modi (General Secretary), and Ved Sharma (Vice President).

Ved Sharma, who also serves as Vice President of the Association and Incharge of All Cells, BJP J&K, raised a key issue concerning unit holders. He highlighted the challenges faced by small-scale businesses in registering part-time and short-term workers under the current ESIC framework. “Small businesses often engage workers for short durations or on a part-time basis. The existing ESIC registration system doesn’t accommodate such flexibility. If simplified procedures are introduced, more employers will be encouraged to come forward and register these workers as well,” he stressed.

On behalf of the Association, Sanjay Chopra expressed gratitude to the ESIC department and assured continued cooperation. He thanked the ESIC officials for conducting the awareness drive and acknowledged the efforts of association members in promoting worker welfare. The camp concluded with an interactive Q&A session where industrialists and traders sought clarifications on contribution rates, claim procedures, and employee eligibility. ESIC officials assured that all feedback would be duly forwarded to the higher authorities for necessary policy review and improvement in procedures.

The awareness camp marked a significant milestone in expanding ESIC’s reach and strengthening the social security net for the working class in Jammu and Kashmir.