67th ALL INDIA COMMERCE CONFERENCE

OF INDIAN COMMERCE ASSOCIATION.

Organised by

KIIT University, Bhubaneswar

in association with

P.G. Department of Commerce; Utkal University, Bhubaneswar

Title of the Paper:-

"HEALTH INSURANCE AS SOCIAL SECURITY-A STUDY ON SERVICE DE-

LIVERY OF EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION (ESIC) IN
ASSAM
Submitted in
Technical session IV Insurance Business: Issues & Perspective
jointly by-

1. Sri Bidyut Bikash Baishya, Assistant Professor. Dept. of Economics, Pragjyotish College,
Guwahati, Assam, Mobile- +919864269787, email- bidyut78@gmail.com

2. Sri Dipanjan Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Dept of Commerce, Darrang College,

Tezpur, Assam, Mobile- +919435711142, email- dipjan_2005@rediffmail.com

3. Dr. Ratan Borman, Associate Professor, Dept. of Commerce, Assam University, Diphu
Campus, Karbi Anglong, Assam; Mobile- +919435166864, email- rborman62@gmail.com

Corresponding Author:- Dr. Ratan Borman, Associate Professor, Dept. of Commerce,

Assam University, Diphu Campus, Karbi Anglong, Assam; Mobile- +919435166864,
email- rborman62@gmail.com

####
HEALTH INSURANCE AS SOCIAL SECURITY-A STUDY ON SERVICE DELIVERY
OF EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION (ESIC) IN ASSAM

ABSTRACT

The Indian health insurance scenario is a mix of mandatory Social health Insurance
(SHI), Voluntary Private Health Insurance and Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI). The
existing mandatory health insurance scheme in India for Organized Sector is Employees State
insurance Scheme (ESIS) and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The Employees
State Insurance (ESI) Scheme is more relevant because this was the first social insurance
measures introduced in India and is executed and administered through Employees State Insur-
ance Corporation (ESIC). ESI Scheme of India is a major multi-dimensional social insurance
programme that has over the last six decades emerged with its phenomenal growth in terms of
geographical reach, demographic coverage, multi-faceted services and an infrastructure that has
no parallel. Despite all the endeavours made by the Corporation for the effective functioning of
the ESI Scheme in the country, public discernment of the Corporation has not been very positive.
The insured persons often allege that the Corporation has not given any regard for the quality of
services and benefits provided to the beneficiaries and their dependents. Besides the working
mechanism of the corporation is also and always questioned. Therefore, this paper studies a
study on the perception of insured persons as to delivery of services by ESIC. The findings sug-
gest that the insured persons are largely not satisfied with services particularly medical care and
cash benefits and a lot of efforts are to be made in this regard for improvement which is vital
for success of ESI schemes and to cure the various maladies that afflicted.

Key Words: Health Insurance, Factory & Establishments, Insured Persons, Medical Care, Cash Benefit

###
HEALTH INSURANCE AS SOCIAL SECURITY-A STUDY ON SERVICE DELIVERY
OF EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION (ESIC) IN ASSAM

1. INTRODUCTION:
Social Security has now become a fact of life for millions of people throughout the world.
It is a major aspect of public policy and extent of its prevalence is a measure of the progress
made by a country towards the ideal of a welfare state. The International Labour Organization1
(1942) defines social security as the security that the society furnishes, through appropriate or-
ganizations, against certain risks to which its members are exposed. These risks are essentially
contingencies against which the individual of small means and meagre resources cannot effec-
tively provide by his own ability. These risks being sickness, maternity, invalidity, old age and
death. It is the characteristics of these contingencies that they imperil the ability of the working
man to support himself and his dependents in health and decency.
Indias population, mainly consisting of middle and low-income groups, necessitate the
provision of social security, although their capacities to pay insurance premiums are very low. In
India, only 3% of population is covered by some form of health insurance, either social or pri-
vate. The Indian health insurance scenario is a mix of mandatory Social health Insurance (SHI),
Voluntary Private Health Insurance and Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI).
The Social Health Insurance (SHI) is based on income-determined contributions from
mandatory memberships. The existing mandatory health insurance scheme in India for Orga-
nized Sector is Employees State insurance Scheme (ESIS) and Central Government Health
Scheme (CGHS). The Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme is more relevant because this
was the first social insurance measures introduced in India.

2. EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE (ESI) SCHEME:

The ESI Act of 1948 was the first social insurance measures introduced in India encom-
passes certain health related eventualities that the workers are generally exposed to, such as sick-
ness, maternity, temporary or permanent disablement, occupational disease or death due to em-

1 The International Labour Organization, Approaches to Social Security, 1942, pg 1.

ployment injury, resulting in loss of wages or earning capacity-total or partial. The provisions
made in the Act to counterbalance or negate the resulting physical or financial distress in such
contingencies are, thus, aimed at upholding human dignity in times of crisis through protection
from deprivation, destitution and social degradation while enabling the society the retention and
continuity of a socially useful and productive manpower. The ESI Act applies to Non-seasonal
factories using power and employing ten or more persons and Non-seasonal and non-power us-
ing factories and establishments employing twenty or more persons.

3. EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION [ESIC]:

The administration of the ESI Scheme as per the ESI Act has been entrusted to the
Employees State Insurance (ESI) Corporation. The ESI Corporation is a body corporate set up
by the Government of India on 24th February 1952, under the provision of the ESI Act, 1948 to
administer and execute the Scheme of Employees State Insurance. The ESI Act provides vari-
ous powers to the Corporation for its proper functioning. The Corporation comprises repre-
sentatives of employees, employers, the Central Government, State Governments, medical pro-
fession and the Parliament. At the State level, Regional Boards is to constitute in each State
where the ESI Scheme is implemented and at the grass-root level, Local Committees to be
formed as advisory bodies for smooth functioning of the Scheme. The Regional Boards and the
Local Committees should have representation, both from employers and employees. The main
source of fund of the Corporation is the contributions raised from employees covered under the
ESI Scheme and their employers, as a fixed percentage of wages. The Corporation may accept
grants, donations and gifts from the Central Government or any State Government, local au-
thority or body whether incorporated or not, for all or any of the purposes of the ESI Act. The
following table exhibits the ESIC at a glance as on 31-03-2013.

Table 1: A Glance of ESIC

Items INDIA NORTH EAST IN- ASSAM STATE

DIA

ESI Hospitals 148 01 01

ESI Dispensaries 1402 29 25

No. of Centres 787 38 33

 No. of Employees 13912400 104199 59921

No. of Insured Person 14301550 104586 85102

No. of Employers 406499 3938 3251

Total Beneficiaries 55490000 406000 -

Inspection Offices 360 04 04

Branch Offices/Pay Of- 610/187 14/3 10/ 3

fices

Source- compiled from Annual Report of ESIC, 2013-14

4. THE EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE (ESI) BENEFITS:

The ESI Corporation provides benefits to the insured persons and their dependents under
the ESI Scheme in three categories-

a] Medical Benefits: Corporation provides full range of medical care to insured persons and
family members through a network of ESI dispensaries, hospitals and panel clinics set up all
over the country.

b] Cash Benefits: This benefit represents periodical payments in cash to a registered member
in case of Sickness, Maternity benefit to insured women in case of pregnancy, confinement,
premature birth of child, Disablement Benefit or Employment Injury Benefits for suffering
from disablement as a result of an employment injury and Dependents Benefit if an insured
person dies as a result of an employment injury or occupational disease

c] Other Benefits: Other benefits include the Funeral Expenses on death of insured person, Re-
habilitation allowance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medical Bonus, Un-employment Allowance
and free supply of aids and appliances etc. which are provided both in cash and kinds.

5. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT:

ESI Scheme of India is a major multi-dimensional social insurance programme that has
over the last six decades emerged as the largest social security setup in South-East Asia with its
phenomenal growth in terms of geographical reach, demographic coverage, multi-faceted ser-
vices and an infrastructure that has no parallel. Despite all the endeavours made by the Corpora-
tion for the effective functioning of the ESI Scheme in the country, public discernment of the
Corporation has not been very positive. Such as, they felt that the Corporation has not given any
regard for the quality of services and benefits provided to the beneficiaries and their dependents.
Further, no adequate steps are being taken to improve and popularise the Scheme among the
beneficiaries and employers. Besides the working mechanism of the corporation is also and al-
ways questioned. Therefore, a study on the perception of insured persons as to delivery of ser-
vices by ESIC is vital for success of ESI schemes and to cure the various maladies that afflicted.

6. REVIEWS OF LITERATURE:
Pachman, J.A. et.al, studied the major aspects of the social security system in the US, its
benefits, structure, and its relationship to the retirement decision, methods of determining costs
and its financing. They also presented explicit or implicit recommendations for changing the sys-
tem. These recommendations comprise an agenda for reform. The proposal was presented in
three dimensions. The first dimension regards the historical development and the present institu-
tional setting of social security. The second dimension was the modest proposal to improve so-
cial security within the present framework. Finally, a list of immediate and urgently needed
changes that could be consistent with the longer terms goals was presented for consideration in
the next round of social security legislation, more modest changes should be enacted to move the
system in the desired direction. Such changes would stress adjustments in the minimum benefits
and in the benefits paid to widows and survivors.2
James H. Dulebohn and Brian Murray of Michigan State University and College of Busi-
ness, University of Dallas, in an article stated that, many have noted the lack of human resource
management research on employee benefits, which is surprising because employer-sponsored
benefits are a primary concern of executives and employees alike. Moreover, of special interest
to scholars, benefits provide a unique opportunity to examine fundamental theoretical and empir-
ical questions about employee behaviour and contemporary employment relationships. They laid
a foundation by providing an overview of the context from which U. S. employer- provided ben-

2Pachman, J. A. and others, Social Security Perspective for Reform, The Brookings Institutions, Washington, D.C.
1968.
efit programs evolved and the contemporary state of benefits research like the ESI Corporation in
India in human resources management3.
International Labour Organization monograph concerned primarily with the five princi-
ples of social security schemes, now in force in Great Britain, these consist of National Insur-
ance, Industrial Insurance, Family Allowances, National Assistance and the National Health Ser-
vice.4
Speaking on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of the Employees State Insur-
ance Scheme, Atal Bihari Vajpai5, the then Prime Minister emphasized the need to increase the
reach of social security to the large number of workers in the unorganized sector. He stated that
the Employees State Insurance Scheme should endeavor for providing social security umbrella
to the poorest of the poor workers and people in the unorganized sector for achievement of na-
tional goals set by Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr C.S. Kedar, IAS, Director General, ESIC said that the improvements in the perfor-
mance of ESIC are attributable to the valuable cooperation and active participation received from
its various stakeholders i.e. IPs, Employers, State Governments, Corporation members and the
employees of the Corporation. The Corporation has made several provisions like Self-
certification, Amnesty Scheme for settlement of Legal Disputes, relaxation in inspections policy
to meet the needs of the Employers. The burden on State Govt. has also been eased out in certain
cases like in Super Speciality treatment. He further said that, ESI Corporation during this Dia-
mond Jubilee Year would like to extend coverage to other States of the North Eastern Region
namely Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.6

7. THE OBJECTIVES:
In the light of above statement of problems and review, this paper tries to examine the
perception of insured persons in Assam Region regarding efficiency of ESIC in delivering vari-
ous services as mandated by ESI Act. More specifically, the objective of this paper is-

3 www.esic.com available online 25th November, 2010

4 International Labour Organization of Social Security-Great Britain, ILO, Geneva, 1957.

5 Employees State Insurance Scheme Golden Jubilee Celebration, 2002, New Delhi.

6 Addressing the National Conclave at Guwahati on 23-06-2011, on the occasion of celebrating The Diamond Jubi-
lee of the ESI Corporation.
 a. To study the level of satisfaction of insured persons on the benefits provided by the ESI
Dispensaries
b. To study the level of satisfaction of insured persons on the benefits provided by the ESI
Hospitals
c. To study the level of satisfaction of insured persons on the cash benefits provided under
ESI Scheme.

8. HYPOTHESIS:

H01: There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured per-
sons in factories and establishments with regard to the services and facilities provided in the ESI
Dispensaries.
H02: There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured per-
sons in factories and establishments with regard to the services and facilities provided in the ESI
Hospitals.
H03: There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured per-
sons in factories and establishments with regard to the cash benefit provided under ESI Scheme.

9. METHODOLOGY:
The study is primarily a descriptive and analytical. The study is undertaken on the func-
tioning of ESIC in Assam Region.
Sample Size:
In Assam there are altogether 85102 insured persons (as on 31-03-2014) under ESIC. Of
these, a sample of 382 has been selected by applying the formula for selecting the sample size is
one by Krejcie & Morgan (1970)7; which are selected randomly consist of factory organisation and
other establishments.
Source of Data:
Primary data are collected from the sample insured persons working in different estab-
lishment/factories and registered under the Branch Offices of ESIC on 31-03-2014 through ques-
7
Krejcie, R.V., & Morgan, D.W. (1970), Determining Sample Size for Research Activities, Educational and Psy-
chological Measurement, Vol.30, pp. 607-610.
tionnaire. Discussions with the officials of ESI Corporation, leaders of various trade unions and
office bearers are also done.
Secondary data are collected from Library work, Visiting dispensaries and offices, collecting in-
formation from internet sources, consulting persons of related matters etc.
Analysis of Data
The collected data has been analyzed with the help of five point scale from strongly satis-
fied to strongly dis-satisfy and hypotheses are tested by applying chi-square test.

10. FINDINGS & ANALYSIS:

Under the ESI Scheme, all insured persons and their dependents are entitled to free, full
and comprehensive medical care. The package covers all aspects of health care from primary to
super-specialty services. Whereas, the primary, outpatient, inpatient and specialist services are
provided through a network of ESI dispensaries and hospitals. Super specialty services are pro-
vided through a large number of empanelled medical institutions on referral basis.

Since the medical benefit is the kingpin of the ESI benefits, the effectiveness of the bene-
fits under the ESI scheme can best be judged by the level of satisfaction on medical benefits
(medical care) as perceived by the beneficiaries. The level of satisfaction is assessed in terms of
services/facilities provided in ESI DISPENSARIES and ESI HOSPITAL.

It is found, during the study that 225 IPs of sample respondents (58.90%) have visited
various ESI Dispensaries located in the state during the year 2013-14 for medical care. The re-
sponses of these sample as to level of satisfaction is depicted in the Table 2.

Table 2: Level of Satisfaction of the Insured Persons in the Services/Facilities in

ESI DISPENSARIES

Level of Services of Availment of Quality of Drugs Laboratory Tests Family Welfare

Satisfaction Doctors Drugs & Dress-
Nos. % ing Nos. % Nos. % Nos. %
Nos. %
Strongly Satis- 5 2 14 06 14 06 6 03 6 03
fied

Satisfied 25 11 31 14 37 16 31 14 34 15
Neither Satis- 45 20 46 20 53 24 58 25 57 25
fied nor Dissat-
isfied

Dissatisfied 140 62 125 56 113 51 124 55 121 54

Strongly Dissat- 10 05 09 04 8 03 6 03 7 03
isfied

TOTAL 225 100 225 100 225 100 225 100 225 100

Calculated Val- 2.625 0.50 1.490 0.625 1.177

2
ue of x (Chi
square) at 4 df

Re- Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant
sult/Conclusion

Compiled from field study

In any medical institutions the services delivered by the doctors are regarded as the main
indicator for the development and growth of the institutions. The above table reveals that 62% of
the insured persons (respondents) are Dis-satisfied in the services of doctors in ESI dispensaries.

The availing of drugs and dressing at an easiest and also at a reasonable rate gives priori-
ty for a medical institutional for treatment. In ESI Dispensaries there are provisions of drugs and
dressing, some of them are free of cost and some them are a reasonable rate. Regarding the
availability of drugs and dressings in ESI dispensaries, most of the insured persons were Dis-
satisfied. The insured persons opined that the qualities of drugs that are provided in the ESI dis-
pensaries are not satisfactory [51%]. During the study, the insured persons expressed that, some-
times they were receiving the drugs that are beyond expiry date. The availability of laboratory
tests facility is an integral part of health care management and ESI dispensaries also provide such
facility. While examining satisfaction level of beneficiaries, it is found that majority are not satis-
fied with the facilities in terms of quality of test and service delivery within stipulated time.
Further, efforts have been made in the study to know about the satisfaction level of the insured
persons regarding the family welfare programmes like promotion of small family norms, immun-
izations programmes, promotion of Indian System of Medicine etc. found that the level of dissat-
isfaction is appears to be highest [54%].
 Thus, from the above, it is observed that a large number of insured persons were not sat-
isfied in the various services and facilities provided in ESI dispensaries for medical care. The
chi-square test on the significance in the level of satisfaction among the insured persons with re-
gard to the services and facilities is found to be not significant. Thus, the hypothesis that there is
no significant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured persons with regard to the
services and facilities provided in the ESI Dispensaries may be accepted.

Level of Satisfaction of the Insured Persons in the Services/Facilities in ESI HOSPITALS

The insured persons who are under treatment in ESI dispensaries may be referred to ESI
hospitals for further treatment especially for in-patient treatment, which is not provided in ESI
dispensaries.

The ESIC in entire north eastern region has only a single hospital situated at Beltola,
Guwahati. During the study, it is found that 143 (63.55%) of total insured persons visited to ESI
Dispensaries were referred to ESI Hospitals for further treatment. Of these, only 92 (64% of re-
ferred) IPs have taken further treatment in ESI Hospitals. Here, an attempt has been to assess the
level of satisfaction of the insured persons regarding services in the hospitals in terms of services
of doctors, quality of drugs, laboratory services, specialty treatment etc. as exhibited in Table 3.

Table 3: Level of Satisfaction of the Insured Persons in the Services/Facilities in ESI Hospital.

Level of Services of Specialty Quality of Laboratory Family

Satisfaction Doctors Services Drugs Tests Welfare
Nos. % Nos. % Nos. % Nos. % Nos. %
Strongly 3 3 2 2 2 2 6 7 5 5
Satisfied

Satisfied 15 16 18 20 20 22 7 8 21 23

Neither Satis- 21 23 17 18 23 25 33 35 22 24
fied nor
Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied 53 58 49 53 44 48 42 46 38 41

Strongly - - 6 7 3 3 4 4 6 7
Dissatisfied

TOTAL 92 100 92 100 92 100 92 100 92 100

Calculated 0.953 1.867 3.881 2.206 1.092
value of x2
(Chi square)
at 4 df

Result/ Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant
Conclusion
Compiled from field study

The table reveals that, 58% respondents are found to be dis-satisfied in the services of
doctors in ESI hospital. Regarding specialists service in ESI hospitals, a large majority was
found to be dis-satisfied. They revealed that only a few specialist departments and doctors were
there in the hospital. Moreover, in some serious and critical case the patients were referred to
some other hospital (other than ESIC Hospital) with whom they have a tie-up.

Further it is observed that, the insured persons were mostly dis-satisfied with the quality
of drugs provided in ESI hospitals, even revealed that they had even got the medicines, after the
expiry-date as well as after long formalities. Similar is the case of laboratory facilities where,
they had to go to the private laboratories for most of the tests, though expensive. Regarding fami-
ly welfare measures, the effort of ESI hospitals are not found to be satisfactory as opined by the
beneficiaries. An enquiry was also made among the insured persons to find out the reasons for
not taking treatment from ESI hospitals and reveals that Lack of doctors, inadequacies of medi-
cines & medical facilities, lack of confidence and Inconvenience to go to ESI hospitals are some
of the reasons.

From the above, it is observed that a large number of insured persons were not satisfied
in the various services and facilities provided in ESI Hospitals for medical care. The chi-square
test on the significance in the level of satisfaction among the insured persons with regard to the
services and facilities is found to be not significant. Thus, the hypothesis that there is no signifi-
cant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured persons with regard to the services
and facilities provided in the ESI Hospital may be accepted.

Level of Satisfaction among the Insured Persons Regarding Cash Benefits

Providing Cash Benefit in certain cases within the scope of ESI Schemes to the insured
persons as per entitlement, is consider as an important coverage under the insurance scheme. An
attempt has been made to assess the level of satisfaction of beneficiaries as to Cash Benefits with
reference to Sickness Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Disablement Benefit and Other Benefit, as
shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Level of Satisfaction among the Insured Persons Regarding Cash Benefits

Level of Sat- Sickness Benefit Maternity Benefit Disablement Benefit Other Benefit
isfaction Nos. % Nos. % Nos. % Nos. %

Strongly Sat- 1 1 - - - - - -
isfied
Satisfied 11 5 29 67 2 2 - -

Neither Sat- 23 10 - - 14 14 15 25
isfied nor
Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied 79 36 14 33 22 22 46 75

Strongly 105 48 - - 64 62 - -
Dissatisfied
TOTAL 219 100 43 100 102 100 61 100

Calculated 0.0405 1.867 1.787 2.0018

value of x2
(Chi square)
at 4 df

Result/ Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant

Conclusion
Compiled from field study

The analysis shows that number of IPs strongly satisfied or even satisfied is very negligi-
ble with the amount and discharge of sickness benefits provided by the Corporation under the
ESI Scheme. While the cash benefit in respect of Maternity benefits, it is found that majority of
respondent insured persons [women] are found to be satisfied. The dissatisfaction was observed
in respect of Disablement Benefit and other benefits. The reason attributable for such state of af-
fairs, as opined by the beneficiaries, are delay in settlement of benefits, cumbersome procedures,
requirement of frequent visits claim office at the cost of wage cut etc. Thus the hypothesis for-
mulated that there is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction among the insured per-
sons with regard to the settlement of cash benefits stands accepted.

11. SUGGESTIONS:

Since the ESI schemes are governed under self-financing mode, the success of ESIC is
largely dependent on level of satisfaction of prime stakeholder, i.e. the Insured Persons. Hence
any attempt to minimize grievance from such stakeholder will increase the satisfaction level.
Therefore, ESIC should make effort to -

a. Enhance the awareness among the insured persons and the employers about the ESI
Scheme.
b. Activate grievance handling mechanism to address effectively and efficiently.
c. Improve health service delivery quality in terms of services of Doctors, availability of
quality medicines, adequate laboratory testing facilities. At least in some cases, spe-
cialist care should be provided with reimbursement facilities regarding some diseases,
where the insured persons seek treatment of their choice hospitals.
d. Train personnel working in ESIC to deal with their clients very sensitively as they vis-
it ESIC for services with some expectations.
e. Improve functioning of various boards like Regional Board, Local Board and depart-
ments like Inspectorate, Employees Insurance Court etc. to develop better co-
ordination among various stakeholders and expedite settlement of Cash Benefits.

12. CONCLUSION:
The Employees State Insurance Scheme is a unique multidimensional self-financing so-
cial security scheme in which every contributor is a benefactor and a beneficiary. The ESI Act,
1948 provided the conceptual breakthrough in the development of a social security scheme that
has over the years metamorphosed into the countrys largest worker welfare programme in terms
of geographical reach, demographic coverage and multi-faceted services. The ESI Scheme, to-
day, is a national phenomenon and one of the few largest social security programmes in the
world. Hence, any effort to improve service delivery quality deserves appreciation from all cor-
ners.
@@@@@
13. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

BOOKS:
Ganguly, A, Insurance Management, new Age International (P) Limited, New Delhi, 2002.
Gupta, B, K, Employers Guide, Employees State Insurance Corporation, New Delhi,1997,pg 2.
Gupta, S. P, Statistical Methods, Sultan Chand and Sons, New Delhi, 1990.
Malik. P. L., Employees State Insurance, Eastern Book Company, Lucknow, 2001.
Sharma, R., International Economics, Lakshmi Narain Agarwal, Educational Publishers, Agra-3,
2001-2002.

REPORTS:
Government of India, Report of the Committee on perspective Planning, Delhi, 1972, pg. 59-62.
Annual Reports of ESIC

ARTICLES (FROM NEWS PAPERS AND JOURNALS):

Dr. Alakananda Goswami, The Assam Tribune, Health for all in India, Guwahati, Assam,
March 11, 2010.
Gautam Prasad Barua, The Assam Tribune, Health Insurance must for all family members,
Guwahati, Assam, February, 08, 2010.
Praful Bidwai, The Assam Tribune, Reviving the Healthcare System, Guwahati, Assam, Feb-
ruary, 21, 2010.
S. Thomas, ESI Samachar, Employees State Insurance Corporation, New Delhi, December,
2005, pg 1.
Economic & political Weekly, Vol XLIV No 23, June6-12, 2009.
Economic & political Weekly, Vol XLIV No 33, August 15-21, 2009.
Economic & political Weekly, Vol XLIV No 38, September 19-25, 2009.

CD ROMS AND WEBSITES:

Encyclopedia Britannica, Deluxe Edition, Britannica.com India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, 2004.
www.esic.com
www.esicnerghy.org.