ESIC holds mega outreach programme in Dimapur

Department of Labour, in collaboration with the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Regional Office, Guwahati, organised a mega awareness-cum-outreach programme on the ESI Scheme, along with a free medical camp and registration drive for Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland districts on August 12 at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur.
The programme was graced by Zonal Insurance Commissioner, North East Zone, Pranay Sinha, as chief guest. In his address, Sinha highlighted two major initiatives launched by ESIC—SPREE 2025 and Amnesty Scheme 2025. SPREE 2025, active from July 1 to December 31, offers a one-time opportunity for unregistered employers and employees, including contractual and temporary workers, to register under the ESI Scheme without facing inspections or penalties for past dues.
The Amnesty Scheme 2025, effective from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, aims to resolve long-standing disputes related to interest and damages, allowing legal case withdrawals upon clearance of dues.
Avile Vitso, Additional Commissioner and CEO of ESI Scheme Nagaland, presented an overview of the scheme’s implementation in the state. She informed that the ESI Dispensary at Mero Building, 4th Mile, Dimapur, currently serves Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland districts. The dispensary provides free consultations and medicines, with reimbursement available for prescribed medicines not in stock. Efforts are underway to upgrade the facility with basic lab services. For secondary care, patients are referred to suitable hospitals due to the absence of empanelled facilities in Dimapur. However, Family Health Clinic has recently been empanelled to offer cashless services. Additional hospital tie-ups are in progress.
Vitso also explained that maternity and super-speciality benefits require a minimum contribution period, as per ESIC policy.
Deputy Director (Coordination & Implementation), Ahtesham, highlighted ESIC’s national footprint, serving over 4 crore insured persons and 15 crore beneficiaries through 165 hospitals, 1,500+ dispensaries, and other facilities. He elaborated on the scheme’s benefits including sickness, maternity, disability, dependent, funeral, and confinement benefits.
In Nagaland, ESIC disbursed Rs.10 lakh for 17 maternity cases, Rs. 61,000 for 8 sickness cases, Rs.53,000 for 4 temporary disability cases, Rs. 2.3 lakh for 16 permanent disability cases, and Rs. 2.04 lakh in dependent benefits during 2024–25. As of 2023–24, 8 out of 17 districts are under ESIC coverage, with 981 employers, 4,630 insured persons, and 17,965 beneficiaries registered.