An insured worker dies from an employment injury leaving behind his widow, two children, and his dependent father. Under the ESI Act 1948, dependants' benefit is distributed such that the largest single share goes to:
- A The widow, receiving three-fifths of the benefit ✓
- B The children, sharing three-fifths equally between them
- C The father, as head of the joint family
- D All dependents receive an equal division of the total benefit
Correct answer: A. The widow, receiving three-fifths of the benefit
Explanation
Dependants' benefit under the ESI Act is payable at 90 percent of wages and is divided among dependents: the widow receives three-fifths, each child receives two-fifths of the widow's share, and remaining dependents such as parents share the residue. The statutory weighting in favour of the widow is fixed by rule and cannot be altered by family custom, which rules out equal division.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
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