In a move that will benefit over 12 lakh employers, the Employees State Insurance Corporation has extended the deadline to file returns under its schemes for April by a month in view of the local lockdowns which may have resulted in the temporary closure of units. “In line with the relief measures being extended by Government to business entities and workers, Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has relaxed the provision and allowed the filing of ESI contribution for the month of April 2021 up to June 15, 2021, instead of May 15, 2021,” ESIC said in a statement.

“The employers covered under ESI Scheme can now file and pay ESI Contribution for the month of April 2021 up to 15th June 2021 instead of 15th May 2021,” it said adding this will provide an extended window to 12.36 lakh employers to pay the contribution under ESI scheme. As per the statement, the country is dealing with a very challenging situation due to the second wave of COVID-19 Pandemic as a result of which many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work.

ESIC has over three crore insured persons and there are over 12 crore beneficiaries in all, considering a family size of four. The scheme is applicable to establishments with 10 or more employees. Under the scheme, the insured person is entitled to medical benefits, sickness benefits, disablement benefits, maternity benefits, and unemployment allowances among other benefits for himself as well as his family.