Thousands of Contract Workers in Pune Denied Free ESIC Healthcare Due to Incomplete Aadhaar Details
Pune, 24th June 2025: Thousands of contract workers employed in government departments across Pune are being deprived of free healthcare benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme due to incomplete or inaccurate Aadhaar documentation. Official data reveals that nearly 4,500 out of 9,000 contract workers registered with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have been unable to obtain their e-Pehchan cards, which are essential for availing medical services under ESIC.
Under ESIC provisions, each eligible worker and their family members are entitled to free medical treatment at ESIC hospitals and affiliated clinics. Workers receive this benefit through an e-Pehchan card, which requires complete Aadhaar details and identity verification during digital registration.
Earlier, ESIC directly issued registration certificates. Now, contractors are responsible for enrolling workers through an online portal. This includes uploading Aadhaar cards, a family photograph, and listing dependents such as spouses, children (up to 21 years for girls, 18 for boys), and dependent parents.
A significant portion of Pune’s contract workers are migrant laborers from drought-prone or economically backward regions. Many arrive in the city without proper documentation. Aadhaar cards, if available, often contain incomplete addresses, only birth years, or missing family details. In several cases, spouses don’t possess Aadhaar cards, and children lack birth certificates, making full registration impossible.
“Nearly 50% of the contract workers’ family members are not registered due to incomplete Aadhaar details. We have instructed contractors to conduct special drives to assist these workers in updating their documents,” said Nitin Kenjale, Labour Welfare Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation.
Pune’s situation is reflective of a broader issue affecting contract workers across Maharashtra. Other urban local bodies are also struggling with similar gaps in documentation, delaying access to critical healthcare benefits for low-income families.
