30-bed facility in Budgam to benefit 50,000 workers; focus on preventive healthcare
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar : Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday inaugurated the first Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital in Kashmir at Ompora in Budgam, marking a significant expansion of healthcare and social security coverage for workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The 30-bedded facility, built at a cost of ₹165 crore, is expected to directly benefit over 50,000 workers and their families. Officials said the hospital has scope for expansion up to 100 beds, signalling a long-term push to strengthen worker-focused healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya underlined the centrality of labour welfare in economic growth. “A country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress,” he said, adding that the government’s focus remains on ensuring dignity, healthcare and social security for every worker.
The inauguration comes as part of a broader effort to deepen the reach of the ESIC network, which provides healthcare and financial protection to millions of workers across India. The minister said the scheme currently covers over 3.8 crore insured persons and nearly 15 crore beneficiaries nationwide.
Highlighting recent labour reforms, Mandaviya said the new Labour Codes have reshaped the country’s labour framework to make it more transparent and worker-centric.
He pointed to provisions such as mandatory appointment letters, minimum wages and annual health check-ups, describing them as “long-awaited protections” for workers.
“Annual health checks through ESIC hospitals will enable early detection of diseases and promote preventive healthcare, securing the future of workers,” he said, indicating a shift towards proactive health management within the labour ecosystem.
The minister also noted that India’s social security coverage has expanded significantly in recent years, citing global recognition of the country’s efforts. He said coverage has risen sharply over the past decade, reflecting a broader policy focus on inclusive growth.
Officials said the integration of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat has further widened access to cashless treatment for beneficiaries, especially in empanelled hospitals, improving healthcare reach for low-income workers.
The Ompora facility assumes significance as the first dedicated ESIC hospital in the Kashmir Valley, where access to institutional healthcare for organised sector workers has remained limited.
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989, now covers over 1.8 lakh insured persons and nearly 7 lakh beneficiaries across the Union Territory.
At the event, Mandaviya also felicitated workers involved in the construction of the hospital and distributed social security benefits to insured persons from the region, highlighting the government’s emphasis on recognising labour contributions.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, ESIC, and the local administration attended the inauguration.
