Keeping in view the problems being faced by the Employers in depositing ESI contribution for the contribution period March 2022, the Director General in exercise  of powers  vested  under  Regulation  100  has  relaxed  the provision  as entered  in Regulations  26  & 31   of the  Employees’  State  Insurance  (General) Regulations, 1950.In this regard as a onetime opportunity,  employers are allowed to deposit contribution for the month of March 2022 up to 30.04.2022 instead of 15.04.2022.

Accordingly,   the   employers   are   also   allowed   to   file  the   Return   of contribution up to 26.05.2022  instead of  11.05.2022  for the contribution period from October, 2021 to March, 2022. .

Only Payment due date has been extended & return of contribution due date has been extended

1. After the enhancement in duration of maternity benefit to 26 weeks from 12 earlier, in some cases insured women were not eligible to avail sickness benefit in the corresponding benefit period after availing maternity benefit. This is because the mandatory contributory conditions of minimum 78 days were not met being the insured women under receipt of maternity benefit and leave.
2. In order to make such insured woman entitled to sickness benefit also, this amendment is made and inserts a new proviso to Rule 55(1).

ESIC Central Rule 55 amended. As per this amendment an Insured Woman who availed Maternity Benefit need not pay 70 days contribution to become entitled to Sickness Benefit in the following Benefit Period. She need contribute only for the half number of remaining days in the relevant Contribution Period. Before this amendment many Insured Women who availed Maternity Benefit were deprived of Sickness Benefit for want of 70 days contribution. To get over this injustice the Rule has been amended that also with effect from 20.1.2017.