Whereas draft notification to provide relaxation in the eligibility condition

## Report on ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme Amendment **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) COVID-19 Relief Scheme, as notified in *The Gazette of India* on March 22, 2022. The core purpose of this amendment is to relax the eligibility conditions for the scheme, specifically regarding the contribution requirements for deceased insured persons diagnosed with COVID-19. The key finding is that the amendment reduces the contribution period requirement to a minimum of 35 days within the year preceding the COVID-19 diagnosis. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme amendment, as published in *The Gazette of India* on March 22, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the information presented in the provided policy text. The purpose of the report is to inform the affected industry about this specific amendment. **3. Policy Overview:** This report addresses an amendment to the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme. The core objective of the scheme, as inferred from the provided text, is to provide relief to the families of insured persons who died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text suggests the reason for this specific amendment is to address potentially restrictive eligibility conditions of the original ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme. The original criteria likely excluded some individuals who, despite having been employed and contributing to the ESIC, did not meet the initial contribution period requirements. This amendment appears designed to broaden the reach of the scheme and offer relief to a larger pool of affected families by relaxing the contribution requirements. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the key change introduced by the amendment text: * **Original Policy Change:** The amendment alters the eligibility condition related to the contribution period required for deceased insured persons diagnosed with COVID-19. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amended rule states that the deceased insured person must have been in employment on the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. Furthermore, contributions for at least 35 days should have been paid or payable in respect of him/her during a period of maximum one year immediately preceding the COVID-19 diagnosis resulting in death. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The original policy likely required a more substantial contribution period. This amendment reduces the minimum contribution period to 35 days within the year preceding diagnosis. This relaxation of the contribution period makes the relief scheme accessible to individuals who may have had shorter employment periods or contribution gaps within the year preceding their COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent death. The effect is to broaden the beneficiary base of the scheme. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Families of deceased insured persons who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and who may not have met the original contribution requirements of the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme. * The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) itself, as the implementing body. * Employers who contribute to the ESIC on behalf of their employees. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is the responsible body, as indicated by the notification. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment is effective from March 24, 2020, as stated in the notification. The text does not provide further detail regarding specific application procedures; however, it can be inferred that existing application processes for the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme will be updated to reflect the new eligibility criteria. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to increase the number of eligible beneficiaries under the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme. By reducing the contribution period requirement, the amendment aims to provide financial relief to a larger number of families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. This change is expected to have a positive social impact by providing a safety net for vulnerable families during a difficult time. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the ESIC COVID-19 Relief Scheme, as detailed in *The Gazette of India* notification, represents a significant adjustment to the eligibility criteria. By relaxing the contribution period requirement, the amendment broadens the scope of the scheme and is likely to provide much-needed relief to a greater number of families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effective date of March 24, 2020 ensures this amendment has retroactive effect.

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