Maharashtra health minister urges Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to revise income eligibility limit for ESIS beneficiaries

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya met Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Ambedkar in New Delhi. The meeting was held to review the status of Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) hospitals in the state. During the meeting, Ambedkar requested the Union government to raise the income eligibility limit for ESIS beneficiaries from ₹21,000 to ₹30,000 per month, an HT report stated. “This would allow more workers to access the scheme and help expand coverage across the state,” he said.

Ambedkar also asked for additional financial support from the Centre to improve healthcare infrastructure and services for workers and their families. The review meeting covered operational challenges and pending construction works at ESIC hospitals in Andheri, Kolhapur, and Ulhasnagar.

Pending projects to be fast-tracked

Dr Mandaviya assured that the incomplete works at these ESIC hospitals would be completed soon. He said the director-general of ESIC would be directed to prioritise and expedite these projects. He also informed that he would personally visit the ESIS hospital in Andheri with the state health minister.


The Union Minister suggested a comprehensive review of all ESIC hospitals in Maharashtra. He added that the Centre was also considering upgrading the ESIC hospital in Nashik in light of the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

“This meeting will boost efforts to strengthen ESIC healthcare facilities across Maharashtra and will help ensure better medical services for insured workers,” said Ambedkar.

Current status of ESIS in Maharashtra

According to official data, Maharashtra currently has 15 ESIS hospitals, 134 service dispensaries, and 450 empanelled private hospitals. These facilities collectively serve about 4.87 million insured workers and their families—covering nearly two crore people under the scheme.

The meeting was also attended by Health Secretary Virendra Singh, ESIS Commissioner Ramesh Chavan, and other senior government officials.