The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has introduced two key initiatives to enhance compliance and social security coverage. The relaunch of the SPREE scheme and the introduction of the Amnesty Scheme 2025 aim to promote formal registrations, resolve disputes, and improve healthcare access under the ESI Act.
Why in News?
The ESIC’s decision to relaunch the SPREE scheme and introduce the Amnesty Scheme 2025 was made to improve social security coverage and reduce legal disputes, emphasizing worker welfare, healthcare expansion, and social security integration.
Key Highlights and Decisions
SPREE Relaunched (July–Dec 2025)
- Opportunity for unregistered employers and left-out workers.
- Voluntary compliance encouraged without penalization.
Amnesty Scheme – 2025 (Oct 2025–Sept 2026)
- Focus on reducing litigation and promoting compliance.
- Covers disputes related to damages, interest, and coverage issues.
Other Major Approvals
- RGSKY Scheme Flexibility for job loss-related applications.
- Revised AYUSH Policy to integrate traditional medicine into ESIC network.
- Pilot Project with Charitable Hospitals to improve healthcare access.
Objectives & Significance
- Promote Formalisation of registration under ESIC.
- Ease Litigation Burden with a dispute resolution window.
- Improve Healthcare Coverage integrating traditional medicine.
- Enhance Social Security Access for remote beneficiaries.
- Boost Trust in the government’s pro-worker approach.
Background/Static Information
- ESIC: A statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment providing medical and social security benefits.
- RGSKY: Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana offers unemployment benefits to insured persons.
Summary/Static Details
ESIC Relaunches SPREE & Introduces Amnesty Scheme 2025 to Boost Compliance
- SPREE Relaunch: July 1 to Dec 31, 2025 – Fresh registration for left-out workers/employers.
- Amnesty Scheme – 2025: Oct 1, 2025 to Sept 30, 2026 – One-time litigation resolution window.
- AYUSH Integration: Focus on traditional wellness systems in ESIC hospitals.
- Pilot with Charitable Hospitals: Expand access in underserved areas.
- RGSKY Flexibility: Case-by-case extension allowed beyond 12-month deadline.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- ESIC relaunched SPREE to promote employer/employee registrations.
- Amnesty Scheme 2025 aims to resolve disputes and improve compliance.
- ESIC emphasizes integrating traditional medicine for holistic healthcare.
- Efforts are made to enhance social security access in remote areas.
- RGSKY offers flexibility beyond the 12-month submission limit for job loss-related benefits.
