ESIC Urges Urgent Aadhaar Seeding for Insured Persons and Pensioners

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has issued an urgent directive to all Regional and Sub-Regional Offices, as well as ESIC Hospitals and Branch Offices, to expedite Aadhaar seeding for Insured Persons (IPs), ESIC employees, and pensioners. This follows a sharp decline in the daily Aadhaar seeding count, which has raised serious concerns about service delivery and operational efficiency.

Sharp Decline in Aadhaar Seeding Counts

Despite repeated communications from the ESIC headquarters, including a letter dated June 13, 2024, the daily Aadhaar seeding count has fallen drastically across the country. This decline is hindering the efficient delivery of services to insured persons, pensioners, and beneficiaries.

The Insurance Commissioner, Mr. Ratnesh Kumar Gautam, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that all offices are expected to take immediate corrective actions to reverse this trend. Delays or lapses in Aadhaar seeding not only disrupt service delivery but also impact the overall operational efficiency of ESIC.

Multiple Aadhaar Seeding Channels Introduced

To address the declining Aadhaar seeding numbers, ESIC has introduced several provisions to simplify and expedite the process:

1. IP Portal

IPs can seed their Aadhaar details and those of their family members through the IP Portal. The portal allows Aadhaar seeding via the “Aadhaar Seeding for IPs and Dependents” feature using OTP authentication from UIDAI.

2. Employer Portal

Employers are also empowered to facilitate Aadhaar seeding. Through the Employer Portal, they can generate new insurance numbers for employees and seed Aadhaar for existing IPs and their dependents using either OTP or biometric verification.

3. Bulk Aadhaar Seeding for Employers

A new bulk seeding feature has been introduced to make Aadhaar integration more efficient. Employers can now upload a pre-defined template containing Aadhaar numbers and mobile numbers for multiple IPs at once. This bulk seeding provision is designed to minimize manual effort and speed up the seeding process significantly.

4. Support from ESIC Branches and Facilities

ESIC Branch Offices, Dispensaries, and Hospitals are instructed to assist IPs in completing Aadhaar seeding. All eligible persons must receive the necessary support to ensure a seamless process without barriers.

5. AAA+ Mobile App

The “AAA+” mobile app is available as a convenient option for Aadhaar seeding. It allows IPs to seed Aadhaar using either OTP or face authentication, providing an alternative to OTP and biometric verification methods. ESIC staff are encouraged to promote this app and help IPs with the process.

Strict Accountability for Non-Compliance

Regional Directors and Heads of Sub-Regional Offices are directed to monitor Aadhaar seeding progress closely and resolve any issues promptly. These may include poor internet connectivity, LAN issues, or equipment deficiencies. The ESIC has made it clear that any further decline in Aadhaar seeding will not be tolerated, and strict administrative action will be taken against non-compliant offices.

No Room for Delays

The directive emphasizes that all available seeding methods must be fully utilized, and alternatives must be employed immediately if one method fails. This directive, issued with the approval of the Director General, underscores the importance of acting swiftly to ensure no further decline in seeding numbers.

A Call to Action for Employers and ESIC Staff

The ESIC has made a strong call to action for employers, branch offices, and all concerned facilities to play their part in ensuring that Aadhaar seeding is completed without delay. The decline in the Aadhaar seeding rate is a serious concern that must be addressed immediately to maintain seamless service delivery for the insured persons and pensioners.

With multiple channels and simplified provisions in place, ESIC expects all stakeholders to work towards achieving 100% Aadhaar seeding in the shortest possible time frame. Employers, in particular, are encouraged to use the new bulk seeding feature to expedite the process.