The Ministry of Labour and Employment addressed Unstarred Question No. 2383 on 15.12.2025, regarding the setting up of an ESI Hospital in Bhagalpur. The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) extends medical and social security benefits to employees working in factories or establishments located in implemented areas where 10 or more workers are employed, with wages up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities). Their family members are also eligible for benefits. ESIC has granted "in principle" approval for establishing a 30-bedded hospital, upgradable to 100 beds, in Bhagalpur, Bihar by March 2024. The State of Bihar offered land for the hospital, but it was deemed unsuitable. ESIC is currently working with the State Government to find alternate suitable land. The total number of Insured Persons (IPs) in Bhagalpur, Munger, and Katihar districts are 18776, 3299, and 8676 respectively. There are four functional dispensaries: two in Bhagalpur district, and one each in Munger and Katihar districts. Additionally, hospitals are tied up to provide healthcare services to ESI beneficiaries in Bhagalpur and surrounding districts.
Key Entities Referenced
Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC): A statutory body providing social security and health insurance benefits to employees in India, central to the proposal of setting up a hospital in Bhagalpur.
Bhagalpur: A district in Bihar, India, where the setting up of an ESI hospital is proposed.
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The ministry responsible for matters relating to labour welfare, social security and employment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2383
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
SETTING-UP OF ESI HOSPITAL IN BHAGALPUR
†2383. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the proposal to set up a hospital by the Employees State
Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in Bhagalpur district of Bihar has been
pending for a long time;
(b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to complete the
project at the earliest;
(c) whether the Government has set any timeline for selection of land,
sanction, budget allocation and commencement of construction work
of the said hospital;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to provide quality healthcare
services to the ESI beneficiaries and their dependents in Bhagalpur
and surrounding districts at the earliest and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) extends
medical and social security benefits to employees working in factories or
establishments located in implemented areas where 10 or more workers
are employed. Employees earning wages up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000
in the case of persons with disabilities) and their family members are
eligible for benefits.
ESIC has accorded “in principle” approval for setting up of a
30-bedded, upgradable to 100-bedded, hospital at Bhagalpur, Bihar in
March 2024. The State of Bihar offered land for the said hospital. But the
land was not found suitable. ESIC is pursuing with State Government for
alternate suitable land.
The total no. of IPs in Bhagalpur, Munger and Katihar district
are 18776, 3299 and 8676 respectively. Four dispensaries are functional
i.e. two in Bhagalpur district and one each in Munger and Katihar district
in addition to tie up hospitals to provide health care services to ESI
beneficiaries in Bhagalpur and surroundings districts.
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