New Delhi, 29 October (H.S.): The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the deadline for its New Amnesty Scheme 2025 by three months, allowing eligible employers and insured persons additional time to resolve pending disputes until December 31, 2026.

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment said on Thursday that ESIC had extended the scheme after reviewing representations from various stakeholders. The extension will remain subject to the existing terms and conditions. The scheme was initially operational from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, and will now continue until December 31, 2026.

The New Amnesty Scheme 2025 is a one-time dispute-resolution initiative aimed at reducing the backlog of court cases and promoting compliance with the erstwhile Employees’ State Insurance Act. It provides employers with a structured mechanism to settle legal disputes with ESIC outside the courts.

Under the scheme, employers can settle ad hoc assessments by paying the actual contribution dues and applicable interest, without any damages being levied. In cases where employers have already paid their outstanding dues, legal proceedings may be withdrawn, subject to payment of 10 per cent of the disputed damages.

The scheme also permits the withdrawal of cases filed by ESIC over the non-submission of records or delayed payments, provided the employers have subsequently fulfilled the relevant compliance requirements and the court grants permission for withdrawal. Court cases filed on or before March 31, 2025, are eligible for consideration under the scheme.

According to the Ministry, the extension will give eligible employers and insured persons additional time to benefit from the dispute-resolution mechanism. All concerned stakeholders have been encouraged to take advantage of the extended window before the December 31, 2026, deadline.

Detailed information about the scheme is available on the official ESIC website.

The New Amnesty Scheme 2025 offers an employer-friendly mechanism for resolving disputes while supporting the government’s broader objective of improving ease of doing business and safeguarding the rights of citizens covered by ESIC.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar