Mr Binoy, you are right about News Paper report & ESI Press Release to that effect.But, the Employee in question who is out of ESI Coverage From 2009 to till date can not exercise this voluntary Option.
This option is Applicable for those already Covered under ESI or who have come in to ESI Coverage from 01/01/2017 consequent to increase in Wage Ceiling to Rs21,000/-
The Employer has no role in this.Employees concerned (Who go out of threshold of Rs21,000/- From 01/04/2017)have to approach respective ESI Local office to know about the modalities.