'State has neglected ESI hospitals'

Centre has granted permission to increase gratuity to Rs 10 lakh

Addressing mediapersons here at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office, Kharge said the Centre is bearing 87.5 per cent and the State 12.5 per cent of all expenses at ESI Hospitals from payment of salary to employees to medicines and improvement of infrastructure.

“Despite this, if the State government is unable to manage administration of hospitals in an efficient manner, let them hand it over to the Centre. The Union Government has written to all state governments regarding the handing over of administration of ESI hospitals.
However, the Karnataka government has not responded to the Centre’s letter.

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments have already responded positively to the Centre’s letter,” he said.

Earlier, the minister said the Centre has granted permission to increase gratuity amount of employees from the present Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, for any worker who has completed five years of work.

Lauding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the pro-people policies, Kharge also announced that workers employed in the unorganised sector can henceforth avail hospital expenses worth Rs 30,000 at ESI hospitals, he added.

“The Centre took a decision to this effect recently. This will benefit crores of workers across the country,” he said.