The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has issued an urgent directive to all its Regional, Sub-Regional Offices, ESIC Hospitals, and Branch Offices to accelerate the Aadhaar seeding process for Insured Persons (IPs), ESIC employees, and pensioners. This move comes after a significant drop in the daily Aadhaar seeding numbers, which has raised concerns about service efficiency and delivery.
Urgency Due to Sharp Decline in Aadhaar Seeding
Despite earlier reminders from the ESIC headquarters, including a communication dated June 13, 2024, the Aadhaar seeding rates have plummeted across the country. This decline is negatively affecting the timely and efficient delivery of services to insured individuals, pensioners, and beneficiaries.
Insurance Commissioner Ratnesh Kumar Gautam stressed the urgency of the situation, urging all offices to take immediate action. He highlighted that delays in Aadhaar seeding disrupt services and affect the overall operational efficiency of ESIC.
New Channels Introduced for Aadhaar Seeding
To combat this issue, ESIC has rolled out several simplified methods for Aadhaar seeding:
- IP Portal: Insured Persons can seed their Aadhaar and family members’ Aadhaar through the IP Portal’s “Aadhaar Seeding for IPs and Dependents” feature, using OTP authentication via UIDAI.
- Employer Portal: Employers are encouraged to assist with Aadhaar seeding. They can generate new insurance numbers and seed Aadhaar for existing IPs and dependents through OTP or biometric verification.
- Bulk Aadhaar Seeding: A bulk seeding feature is now available, allowing employers to upload multiple Aadhaar numbers and mobile numbers for IPs at once, reducing manual effort and speeding up the process.
- Support from ESIC Facilities: ESIC Branch Offices, Dispensaries, and Hospitals are instructed to assist IPs in completing the Aadhaar seeding process, ensuring there are no barriers or delays.
- AAA+ Mobile App: The “AAA+” mobile app offers another convenient option, allowing IPs to seed Aadhaar via OTP or face authentication. ESIC staff are urged to promote this app and assist users.
Strict Accountability for Non-Compliance
Regional Directors and Heads of Sub-Regional Offices are tasked with closely monitoring Aadhaar seeding progress and quickly resolving any issues, such as poor internet connectivity or equipment problems. ESIC has warned that further declines in seeding numbers will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken against offices that fail to comply.
No Room for Delays
The directive emphasizes that all seeding methods must be fully utilized, and alternatives should be employed immediately if one method encounters issues. With approval from the Director General, the directive highlights the critical need to act swiftly and reverse the declining seeding trend.
Call to Action for Employers and ESIC Staff
ESIC is calling on employers, branch offices, and other facilities to play an active role in ensuring Aadhaar seeding is completed without delays. Employers are particularly encouraged to use the new bulk seeding feature to expedite the process. The goal is to achieve 100% Aadhaar seeding as quickly as possible, ensuring smooth and efficient service delivery for all insured persons and pensioners.
