Date:15/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/15/stories/2005061500791700.htm

Back Common 'smart ID cards' for PF, ESIC on cards

Our Bureau

Kolkata , June 14

THE Provident Fund Commission and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) are planning to introduce a common `smart identity card' for employees.

The Centre has already formed a committee comprising Central trade unions and industry lobbies to work out the details.

ESI authorities have already introduced photo-identity cards for enrolled members.

Addressing an interactive session with the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here on Tuesday, Mr B. K. Sahu, Additional Commissioner and Regional Director of ESI Corporation, said that the card would act as a single point source of updated profiles of employees and the benefits available to them.

Currently trying to decentralise power within the organisation and focussing on improving its services to members through tie-ups with private hospitals and nursing homes, the ESI Corporation expects that the smart card will make its existing cashless medical benefit schemes more lucrative and useful.

In an effort to increase the efficacy of the corporation's schemes in cash-starved States, the corporation has also formed a revolving fund to make immediate payments to beneficiaries.

Talking about West Bengal, Mr Sahu said that the corporation would soon replace existing enlisted individual medical practitioners (IMPs) with service dispensaries. "The IMPs are typical of West Bengal and Maharashtra and we will replace this system soon."

Recently, the corporation carried out a Rs 3.4-crore expansion at its main hospital in the State. It has also taken full operational control of a hospital in Kolkata. All the other hospitals in the State are now controlled by the State Government. "We would like to increase ESI-controlled hospitals in the State."