Shillong, Apr 8: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), North East Zone, today announced the implementation of the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme across all districts of Meghalaya with effect from April 1, 2026, marking a significant step towards social security coverage in the state.
The announcement was made during a press conference held in Shillong, where officials outlined the expansion and its expected impact on workers and their families.
Insurance Commissioner Pranay Sinha elaborated on how the ESI scheme is designed to protect workers by providing comprehensive medical and financial security. The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 1.1 lakh beneficiaries by ensuring access to healthcare and cash support, including sickness benefits, maternity support, and other essential financial aids in the unfortunate event of a worker’s death due to injury.
As part of enhancing service delivery, ESIC has established a robust network comprising 165 hospitals and over 1,500 dispensaries nationwide. In Meghalaya, existing services include dispensaries in Shillong and Byrnihat, alongside plans to open four new dispensary-cum-branch offices at Jowai, Tura, Nongstoiñ, and Khliehriat.
Sinha highlighted that Meghalaya has a long association with the ESI Scheme, which was first introduced in East Khasi Hills in 1980 and later extended to Ri Bhoi district and has now been expanded to cover the entire state.
At present, the state has 28,263 insured persons, covering 1,982 employers. Healthcare services are currently being provided through two ESIS dispensaries located at Shillong and Byrnihat, along with a secondary care unit at Bethany Hospital and a super speciality treatment unit at PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital in Ri Bhoi.
Sinha stated that registration under the scheme is fully digital and managed through the ESIC and Shram Suvidha portals, ensuring ease of access for all eligible workers, particularly those earning up to ₹21,000 per month.
He explained that establishments employing ten or more workers are mandatorily required to register under the Act, and employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) are eligible for coverage, with contributions fixed at 0.75 per cent from employees and 3.25 per cent from employers.
He also informed that steps are being taken to strengthen infrastructure, including the proposed construction of a 100-bedded ESIC hospital in Shillong, for which land has already been provided by the state government and construction is expected to begin shortly.
Sinha also highlighted that ESIC offers significant educational opportunities through reserved MBBS and BDS seats for wards of insured persons under the NEET quota, with comparatively lower fees, thereby providing an added advantage to workers’ families.
