This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment's response to a parliamentary question regarding the establishment of a dedicated Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital in the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency.
The response acknowledges the demand for improved healthcare infrastructure in the Vellore region, citing significant labor-intensive zones like Ambur, Gudiyattam, and Vaniyambadi. It states that the establishment of ESIC hospitals is an ongoing process, contingent upon meeting specific criteria: a minimum of 20,000 insured persons (IPs) within a 25km radius for a 30-bedded hospital, and 50,000 IPs for a 100-bedded hospital, considering the projected IP population for the next five years.
Currently, a 50-bedded ESIC hospital is operational in Vellore. As of March 31, 2024, the IP populations in other areas of the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency were: Ambur (26,668), Gudiyattam (9,302), Vaniyambadi (13,652), Pallikonda (1,182), Pernambut (5,831), and Tirupathur (3,773).
The ESIC received a proposal from the State of Tamil Nadu in December 2024 for a hospital in Ambur. However, this proposal was incomplete, lacking details regarding land availability.
In addition to the existing hospital, six state-run ESIC dispensaries are functional in Ambur, Gudiyatham, Vaniyambadi, Pallikonda, Pernambut, and Vellore. The ESIC also has tie-up arrangements with two hospitals in the region to supplement healthcare provisions for beneficiaries.
The Ministry's response, delivered by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, indicates that while the need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure in Vellore is recognized, further action, particularly concerning a new hospital in Ambur, is dependent on the fulfillment of established ESIC norms and the submission of a complete proposal from the Tamil Nadu state government.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labour and employment policies.
ESIC: Employees' State Insurance Corporation, a statutory body providing social security and health insurance to Indian workers.
Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency, Tamil Nadu: A parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu, India, noted for a high demand for ESIC services.
Thiru D M Kathir Anand: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding ESIC hospital in Vellore.
Ambur, Tamil Nadu: A town within the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency, identified as a labour-intensive zone.
Gudiyattam, Tamil Nadu: A town within the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency, identified as a labour-intensive zone.
Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu: A town within the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency, identified as a labour-intensive zone.
Sushri Shobha Karandlaje: Minister of State for Labour and Employment who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2473
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
ESIC HOSPITAL IN VELLORE
2473. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the Government has conducted any survey or received
reports indicating the high demand for a dedicated ESIC hospital in
the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency, which includes several labour-
intensive zones like Ambur, Gudiyattam and Vaniyambadi, if so, the
details thereof;
(b)whether the Government has received any formal request from
Tamil Nadu or elected representatives seeking the establishment
of an ESIC hospital in this region and if so, the current status of
action taken by the Government including funding, design approval
and hospital commissioning timeline;
(c)whether the Government will ensure inadequate health
infrastructure to give high priority to Vellore under ESIC expansion
plans that has large ESI subscriber base and if so, the details
thereof; and
(d)if not, the manner in which the Government plans to ensure social
security and medical equity for industrial workers and their families
in this backward region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): Setting up of Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospitals is
a continuous process. As per ESIC norms, minimum 20,000 and
50,000 present Insured Person (IP) population / futuristic number of
IP population in upcoming 05 years is required within radius of 25
Kms of proposed location for setting up of 30 bedded and 100 bedded
ESI hospital respectively.
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
At present, a 50 bedded ESIS hospital is functional in
Vellore. The IP population in remaining areas of Vellore Lok Sabha
Constituency viz. Ambur, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Pallikonda,
Pernmabut and Tirupathur were 26668, 9302, 13652, 1182, 5831 and
3773 respectively as on 31.03.2024.
ESIC received a proposal from State of Tamil Nadu for
setting up of hospital at Ambur in December 2024. However, the
proposal was incomplete lacking details of land availability etc.
Apart from 50 bedded hospital in Vellore, 06 State-run ESI
dispensaries are also functional i.e. one each at Ambur, Gudiyatham,
Vaniyambadi, Pallikonda, Pernambut and Vellore. ESIC has also made
tie-up arrangement with 02 hospitals to provide health facilities to its
beneficiaries in the region.
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