Budgam, Apr 24: Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday inaugurated a 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital at Ompora in Budgam district of central Kashmir.
The inauguration marked the establishment of the first ESIC hospital in Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony, the Union Minister said the move was a significant step towards strengthening healthcare access and social security for workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The hospital is built at a cost of Rs 165 crore with provision for expansion up to 100 beds.
The hospital is expected to benefit over 50,000 workers and their families.
The facility will provide comprehensive healthcare services under the ESI scheme, which currently covers over 1.83 lakh insured persons and around 7 lakh beneficiaries across J&K.
In his address, Mandaviya highlighted the role of labourers in nation-building saying that the country’s progress rests on the “blood and sweat” of workers and it was the government’s responsibility to ensure their welfare.
He said that the Centre, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi was committed to providing dignity, healthcare, and social security to workers.
“The recently implemented labour codes have transformed India’s labour ecosystem by ensuring transparency, minimum wages, appointment letters, and annual health check-ups for workers,” Mandaviya said.
He said that the introduction of a national floor wage would eliminate disparities in minimum wages across states and Union Territories.
“ESIC scheme provides a wide range of benefits including healthcare, maternity support, and financial assistance during periods of unemployment,” the Union Labour Minister said.
He said many workers previously struggled to access treatment for life-threatening diseases due to high costs in private hospitals, often pushing families into financial distress.
“Through ESIC, treatment ranging from thousands to even up to Rs 1 crore is being made available. The scheme ensures that workers do not lose everything in times of medical crisis,” Mandaviya said.
He said that India’s social security coverage had increased significantly in recent years, with data from the International LabourOrganisation indicating coverage of over 64 percent of workers.
The Union Labour Minister highlighted the integration of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat, expanding access to cashless treatment across empanelled hospitals.
“The new hospital in Budgam would not only improve healthcare delivery but also create employment opportunities for local youth, including through proposed nursing and training facilities,” he said.
On the sidelines of the inaugural function, Mandaviya felicitated workers involved in the construction of the hospital and distributed social security benefits to insured persons.
He said that J&K was progressing alongside the rest of the country towards the vision of a developed India.
“The ongoing reforms in labour welfare and sports infrastructure will contribute to broader socio-economic growth,” the Union Labour Minister said.
