Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 24: Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya today described workers as the “builders of the nation” and said ensuring their welfare, dignity and social security remains the Government’s primary responsibility.
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Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the first Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital in Kashmir at Ompora in Budgam, he said a country that values the dignity of its workers is “unstoppable on the path of progress”.
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He added that the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to securing healthcare, safety and financial protection for every worker.
Mandaviya said the reach of ESIC has expanded significantly, with beneficiaries rising from around 7 crore to nearly 14 crore workers and their families.
He said the scheme provides health security, maternity and accident benefits, as well as financial assistance during unemployment, support that is critical when workers face high treatment costs and the risk of debt.
Highlighting recent initiatives, he said the Government is working to ensure comprehensive health coverage for workers and their families, including convergence with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to expand access to cashless healthcare.
Referring to labour reforms, the minister said the four Labour Codes have modernised India’s labour ecosystem by introducing provisions such as minimum wages, mandatory appointment letters and annual health check-ups.
“Preventive healthcare through ESIC hospitals will allow early detection of diseases and secure the future of workers,” he said.
Mandaviya said India’s social security initiatives have also received global recognition, citing the ‘Excellence in Social Security’ award conferred by the International Social Security Association in 2025.
He added that data from the International Labour Organization shows coverage has increased from 19 per cent in 2015 to over 64 per cent in 2025.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, he said the newly inaugurated hospital, built at a cost of Rs 165 crore, will initially operate with 30 beds and can be expanded to 100 beds.
More than 50,000 workers and their family members are expected to benefit from the facility, he said, adding that a nursing college will also be established to train youth from J&K and enhance livelihood opportunities.
The hospital complex, developed over five acres, comprises a hospital block, service building and 32 residential quarters, with a total plinth area of around 24,500 square metres.
It is equipped with three modular operation theatres, a dedicated emergency OT, four patient lifts and a modern HVAC system, along with eco-friendly infrastructure such as solar water heating and sewage and effluent treatment plants.
Authorities said the facility will scale up capacity in phases.
The minister also highlighted the government’s push to strengthen sports infrastructure and youth engagement, noting that India has secured the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid and has also submitted a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
He said initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India are encouraging youth participation, while governance reforms aim to position India among the top 10 sporting nations in the near future and among the top five by 2047.
Earlier, Mandaviya formally inaugurated the hospital, the first such facility in Kashmir, marking an expansion of worker welfare infrastructure in the region.
Notably, the Employees’ State Insurance scheme was introduced in J&K on October 16, 1989, initially covering around 7,000 workers in Jammu, Kathua and Srinagar.
It is now implemented across all districts of the Union Territory, covering about 1.83 lakh insured persons and nearly seven lakh beneficiaries, and is administered through the ESIC Regional Office in Jammu and the J&K Employees’ State Insurance Society.
Director General ESIC Ashok Kumar Singh, speaking to reporters, termed the inauguration a “historic day for Kashmir.”
He said that the hospital offers comprehensive services, including emergency care and has the potential to expand up to around 160 beds.
He added that Ayushman Bharat services will also be available at the facility.
Singh highlighted key ESIC benefits, stating that in the event of a worker’s death during service, the family is entitled to a lifelong pension of around Rs 18,000 per month, subject to revision.
Workers suffering disabilities are also entitled to lifelong financial support, he said, stressing the need to raise awareness about such provisions.
During the event, Mandaviya felicitated workers involved in the construction of the hospital and distributed social security benefits to insured persons from the Union Territory.
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