Job creation slows down to 1.3 mn in August from 1.44 mn in July: ESIC data

Around 1.3 million jobs were created in August, lower than 1.44 million in the previous month (July), according to the payroll data of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
Gross enrolments of new subscribers with the ESIC were 14.9 million during 2018-19, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said in a report.

It also showed that during September 2017 to August 2019, around 29.7 million new subscribers joined the ESIC scheme.
The NSO report is based on the payroll data of new subscribers of various social security schemes run by the ESIC, retirement fund body EPFO and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
It has been releasing the payroll data or new subscribers data of these three bodies since April 2018, covering a period starting from September 2017.
The report showed that gross new enrolments with the ESIC during September 2017 to March 2018 were 8.33 million.
A net of 1.8 million new enrolments with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) were recorded in August, as compared to 1.17 million in July this year.
During 2018-19, 6.11 million new subscribers on a net basis joined the social security schemes run by the EPFO. Similarly, the net new enrolments were 1.55 million during September 2017 to March 2018.
It showed that during September 2017 to August 2019; around 27.5 million new subscribers joined the EPF scheme.
The report said that since the number of subscribers are from various sources, there are elements of overlap and the estimates are not additive.
The NSO said the present report gives different perspectives on the levels of employment in the formal sector and does not measure employment at a holistic level.

Five feared dead, over 100 hurt in fire at Mumbai's ESIC Kamgar Hospital

At least five persons were feared dead and over 100, mostly patients and staffers, were injured after a massive fire broke out in the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Andheri (East) on Monday.
The fire, caused by a suspected short-circuit, was seen in the upper floors of the five-storied building in the MIDC area -- the industrial hub of the north-western suburb -- around 4.15 pm.

At least 10 fire tenders, 15 water tankers and other specialised equipment were rushed to battle the blaze and those trapped were taken out via ladders from the third and fourth floors.
Of those rescued, 10 have been admitted to the Cooper Hospital, including one brought dead, 15 each in Holy Spirit Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital, and seven in Trauma Hospital for treatment.
Thick dark clouds of smoke were seen billowing from long distances in the suburbs and the rescue operations resulted in massive evening peak-hour traffic jams on the busy Andheri thoroughfare connecting north-south and eastern Mumbai.