The scheme is also for those who have disputed the prosecution under section 75 of the Act. This was said in a press release issued by regional director A Chockalingam on Monday. The scheme will be in force till December 31.

Under the amnesty scheme, the ESIC has decided to withdraw prosecution under section 84 of the Act against employees on refund of excess amount of benefit drawn, and on giving an undertaking that no wrong declaration would be made in future, said an ESI release on Monday.

Also, cases against employees under section 85 and 85A of the Act will be withdrawn on payment of entire amount of contribution dues to ESIC for the period under prosecution and on payment of interest in full, up to the date of payment for the period of default, on the contribution paid.

A salient feature of the scheme is that damages can be paid at the rate of 25 per cent levied or leviable for the period of prosecution, the release said. Persons concerned will have to comply with other provisions of section 85 and give an undertaking for regular compliance in future, the release said.

Another feature of the new scheme is withdrawal of appeals/cases filed by employees under section 75 of the Act regarding convertibility or determination of contribution on payment of entire amount of contribution due, to period under litigation and assurance of compliance and payment of interest due, for the litigation period paid in full.