Kalimpong, July 7: The Citu unit here will demand that Employment State Insurance Scheme, a medical programme funded by the Centre, be implemented in the three hill subdivisions as well.

The scheme is being implemented in Siliguri.

Citu leaders said the scheme, which provides medical facilities to labourers, will be a boon to workers of the organised and unorganised sectors.

We met the officials concerned in Siliguri yesterday and requested them to introduce the scheme in the three hill subdivisions as well. They told us to discuss the issue with the regional director of the Employment State Insurance Corporation in Calcutta,” said Tara Sundas, the president of the Kalimpong Citu unit.

“We have decided to go to Calcutta but will fix the date after meeting labourers of the organised and unorganised sectors,” he added.

The insurance scheme, the Citu president said, brought under its purview “a variety of labourers, from those working in hotels to others in the tea industry and even drivers and daily wage earners”.

“The scheme provides benefits like medical cover for self as well as family. Other facilities included range from maternity benefits, help for the handicapped and even funeral expenses. This facility is also provided to seasonal labourers. The greatest advantage of the scheme is that the persons have to pay very less unlike other insurance schemes. In this scheme a total of 6.50 per cent of the wage has to be paid. The employer contributes 4. 75 per cent and the employee 1.75 per cent.”