Shillong, Oct 7: In a significant step towards strengthening the social security framework and simplifying compliance for industries, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched two major initiatives – SPREE-2025 and the AMNESTY Scheme-2025.
During the launch of the schemes at Shillong Club on Tuesday, C. Songate, Principal Secretary, Labour department emphasised on the scheme towards the coverage of all coverable employees of the State.
Songate also announced the in-principle approval of construction of a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital at Shillong.
He made a request to implement all remaining districts of Meghalaya and ensured full support from the State.
Pranay Sinha, Insurance Commissioner, Northeast and Eastern zone emphasized the SPREE Scheme and requested all employers to register themselves and avail the benefits of ESIC Act.
He stated that there is lack of awareness among IPs regarding various benefits under ESIC and pointed to the benefit graph wherein showing maximum benefit availed by IPs as Maternity Benefit only.
Further, Sinha requested all the employers to run an awareness drive in their organisation and extended support and cooperation from ESIC.
Regarding construction of a 100-bedded Hospital, he ensured the work will be completed within the time frame.
The SPREE-2025 (Scheme for Promoting Registration of Employers and Employees) will remain operational till December 31, 2025. Under this scheme, industries and employees who are not yet associated with ESIC can register through the ESI Portal, Shram Suvidha Portal and Corporate Affairs Portal without the demand of old dues.
Employers registering under SPREE-2025 will be considered covered from the date of their registration or the date declared by them, and newly registered employees will start receiving ESI health and social security benefits from the date of registration itself.
The Amnesty Scheme -2025 will remain in force till September 30, 2026, giving an opportunity to employers to settle the cases/litigation under ESI Act and save penal charges.
Highlighting further reforms, Robert L. Guite, Regional Director, announced the introduction of the AMNESTY Scheme-2025, which will be in effect from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
He said that this one-time dispute resolution initiative has been designed to settle issues related to damages, interest, and coverage under the ESI Act.
According to Guite the scheme seeks to provide employers with an opportunity to resolve pending disputes and strengthen compliance, thereby reducing the number of lawsuits and ensuring the smooth delivery of social security benefits to employees.
During the programme, a sanction memo regarding disbursement of Dependent Benefit was handed over to Sengmek Marak, Spouse of Late Pinik A sangma, ex-employee of Sai Computers.
Late Pinik Sangma met with a fatal accident during employment and ESIC sanctioned Rs.438 per day as pension, proportionally divided among her and her children, totalling Rs.13, 578 for the month of October, 2025.
