EPFO Introduces ‘View Pension Passbook’ Service for the Pensioners Through Umang App

EPFO Introduces ‘View Pension Passbook’ Service for the pensioners through Umang App

Ministry of Labour &Employment

EPFO Introduces ‘View Pension Passbook’ Service for the pensioners through Umang App

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which is providing a host of e-services for its stakeholders, has now introduced a new service through ‘UMANG app’. On clicking ‘View Passbook’ option, it requires PPO Number and Date of Birth information to be entered by the pensioner. After successful validation of the information fed, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number of the pensioner. On entering OTP, ‘Pensioner Passbook’ will display the details of the pensioner like Name, DOB along with last pension credited information. The facility to download the financial year wise complete pass book details is also available.

Other e-services of EPFO already available through UMANG aap includes Employee Centric services (View EPF Passbook, Raise claim, Track Claim), Employer Centric Services (Get remittance details by establishment ID, Get TRRN Status), General Services (Search Establishment, Search EPFO Office, Know Your claim Status, Account details on SMS, Account details on Missed Calls), Pensioner Services (Update Jeevan Praman), eKYC services (Aadhaar Seeding)

Source: PIB

Read More »

EPFO Rate of Interest

EPFO Rate of Interest

The declared rate of interest on Employees” Provident Fund (EPF) paid to the subscribers during the last three years is as under:

Year	Rate of Interest (in per cent.)	Date on which Rate of Interest declared
2014-15	8.75	23.01.2015
2015-16	8.80	23.05.2016
2016-17	8.65	24.04.2017

The interest rate on EPF is determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Board. The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), in its meeting held on 21.02.2018, has recommended 8.55 per cent. rate of interest to EPF subscribers for 2017-18. The proposal has now been sent to the Ministry of Finance for their concurrence to the interest rate of 8.55 per cent to the EPF subscribers for the year 2017-18.

Approximately 19,97,84,374 number of accounts of account holders are likely to be credited with the statutory rate of interest declared for the year 2017-18.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 19.3.2018.

Read More »

EPFO Likely to Retain Interest Rate at 8.75% for Current Fiscal

EPFO has been paying 8.75% interest rate for the last two fiscals to its 5 crore organised sector subscribers. Retaining of the rate for the third year in a row might face resistance from the central trade unions, who are pressing for a 9% returns for the current fiscal.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to retain the rate of interest at 8.75% for provident fund deposits for the current fiscal, sources in the labour ministry said.

EPFO has been paying 8.75% interest rate for the last two fiscals to its 5 crore organised sector subscribers. Retaining of the rate for the third year in a row might face resistance from the central trade unions, who are pressing for a 9% returns for the current fiscal.

However, a final decision on this would be taken at a meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision-making body of the EPFO, tomorrow in Chennai. The CBT includes representatives from the government, employers and employees.

Sources said that the rates would most likely to be retained at the previous two years’ level considering the government’s proposal to bring down the rates of small savings with effect from April 1 to allow banks to reduce their lending rate in tandem with rate cuts by the Reserve Bank.

EPFO provides the rate of interest from its earnings on investment on formal sector workers’ fund without any assistance from the government. The income projection of the retirement fund body is upwards of R34,844 crore for the current fiscal. At this, EPFO would not have any problem to raise the rates to even 9% considering that it would still have R100-odd crore surplus.

Sources, however, said the finance ministry is not in agreement with the idea of raising the rates since it would have a lot of bearings on other savings schemes as well. The Finance Audit and Investment Committee of the EPFO had earlier recommended 8.95% rate of interest rate on PF deposits.

Source : financialexpress

Read More »

EPFO may pay 9% interest on PF deposits for 2015-16

EPFO may pay 9% interest on PF deposits for 2015-16 

Retirement fund body EPFO may provide 9 per cent interest on PF deposits for this fiscal, which is higher compared to 8.75 per cent provided in previous two fiscals to its over five crore subscribers.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) finance panel has recommended raising the interest rate on statutory savings of over 5 crore subscribers from 8.75% to 8.95% during the current fiscal.

“The income projection of Rs 34,844.42 crore for the current fiscal is expected to be revised upward. Thus the body can provide 9 per cent rate of interest on PF deposits for 2015-16,” an EPFO trustee and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Secretary P J Banasure told PTI.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) Finance Audit and Investment committee (FAIC) recommended 8.95 per cent interest on PF deposits for the current fiscal in its meeting earlier this week.

Banasure, who is also a member of FAIC said:”If the EPFO provides 8.95 per cent interest rate on PF deposits for 2015-16, it will leave a surplus of Rs 91 crore as per income projections worked out in September last year. But the FAIC will meet again later this month to vet the latest income estimate which is likely to be revised upward.”

According to EPFO income projections worked out in September, providing 9 per cent interest on PF will result in a deficit of Rs 100 crore. “We are expecting that there will be a surplus of Rs 100 crore on providing 9 per cent rate of interest on PF deposits when EPFO will work out the latest estimates. FAIC can change its recommendation in the next meeting and suggest 9 per cent interest rate for 2015-16,” he said.

The proposal has to be endorsed by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) before the Finance Ministry notifies it.

However, there has been indications from the Finance Ministry that it will slash interest rate on small savings like public provident fund in view of the rate cut by Reserve Bank of India.

The EPFO provides rate of interest from the earning on investments of formal sector workers’ funds without any assistance from the government.

Source:www.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Read More »

Amendment in Section 192A of the IT Act, 1961- Instructions for deduction of TDS on withdrawal from PF

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation

(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India)

Head Office

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14-Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110066

Phone: 011 – 26172685, Fax: 011-26173022, e-mail: rc.fu@epfindia.gov.in

No. WSU/6(1)2011/IT/Vol-IV/5931

Date: 21 May 2015

To

All Addl. CPFC (Zones)

All RPFC/OIC of

ROs/SROs.

Sub: Amendment in Section 192A of the IT Act, 1961- Instructions for deduction of TDS on withdrawal from PF.

Ref: Head Office circular of even number dated 18.03.2015.

Sir/Madam,

The Finance Act, 2015 (20 of 2015) has inserted a new section 192A regarding the payment of accumulated provident fund balance due to an employee. The provision shall take effect from 1st June, 2015. A copy of the said provision is enclosed for information.

2. Income Tax shall be deducted at source (TDS) at the following rates if at the time of payment of the accumulated PF balance is more than or equal to Rs. 30,000/-, with service less than 5 years:-

a) TDS will be deducted @ 10% provided PAN is submitted. In case Form No. 15G or 15H is submitted by the member, then no TDS shall be deducted.

b) TDS will be deducted @ minimum marginal rate (i.e. 34.608%) if a member fails to submit PAN (and no Form No 15G or 15H).

3. TDS shall not be deducted in respect of the following cases:-

 Transfer of PF from one account to another PF account.

 Termination of service due to ill health of member, discontinuation/contraction of business by employer, completion of project or other cause beyond the control of the member.

 If employee withdraws PF after a period of five years of continuous service, including service with former employer.

 If PF payment is less than Rs. 30,000/- but the member has rendered service of less than 5 years.

 If employee withdraws amount more than or equal to Rs. 30,000/-, with service less than 5 years but submits Form 15G/15H along with their PAN

A flow-chart is appended for understanding the implications of the amended provisions in the Income Tax Act, 1961.

4. Kindly take note that TDS is deductible at the time of payment of provident fund in Form No. 19. Form No. 15H is for senior citizens (60 years & above) while Form No. 15G is for individuals having no taxable income. Form 15G & 15H are self-declarations and may be accepted as such in duplicate. Form 15G and 15H may not be accepted if amount of withdrawal is more than Rs. 2,50,000/- and Rs. 3,00,000/- respectively. Members shall quote PAN in Form No. 15G/15H and in Form No. 19. The field offices may purchase pre-printed Form No. 15G & 15H to assist the members in filling up Form No. 19.

5. The process for authorization of Form No. 19 shall be as per the existing system. However, whenever TDS has to be deducted @10%, the same may be approved on Form No. 19 by the APFC (Accounts). Wherever the TDS has to be deducted @34.608%, the same may be approved on Form No. 19 by a RPFC level officer. These instructions shall apply in initial stages of implementation of the amended income tax provisions. Since the members may not be aware of the new provisions, therefore, it shall be the responsibility of SSA (Accounts) to communicate the same to the member on telephone and record the same in Form No. 19 to submit PAN, Form No. 15G/15H, if applicable. A system generated statement of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) may invariably be sent to the member.

6. Members who have rendered continuous service of 5 years or more, including service with former employer, shall not be required to submit PAN and Form No. 15G/15H along with Form No. 19. Similarly, members whose service has been terminated due to his ill health, contraction or discontinuance of business of employer or other cause beyond the control of the member shall not be required to submit PAN, Form No. 15G/15H alongwith Form No. 19. In such cases, no income tax (TDS) shall be deducted in terms of Rule 8 of Fourth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961.

7. The field offices shall deposit the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and returns thereof by 7th of the following month. The existing TAN number obtained the respective offices may be used to deposit tax to the local income tax authority. The in-house responsibility for deposit of tax and returns thereof shall be with Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO) as per the existing system. The concerned officers and staff may be given an in-house training for implementation of new provisions and RPFCs may engage CAs, who are on our panel.

8. The above should be made applicable with effect from 01.06.2015 and all steps should be taken before hand such as procuring copies of Form 15G and 15H. In case of any clarification, the same may be escalated to the Head Office.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Sanjay Kumar)

FA&CAO

Source:http://www.epfindia.com/Index.htm

Read More »

EPFO makes it mandatory to provide workers’ bank account numbers

Retirement fund body EPFO made it mandatory for firms to provide their employees’ bank account numbers with IFSC code of bank branch to facilitate allotment of universal PF account number and payment to its subscribers.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation headquarters has asked its over 120 field offices to seek the core banking account numbers with IFSC code of bank branch for seeding the same with the portable Universal PF Account Number (UAN).

“…government issued direction ..to issue order making submission of Bank Accounts by the members mandatory in order to facilitate the allotment of UAN, proper implementation of the EPF Scheme, 1952 and removal of the difficulties in the matter of payment of accumulations in the Fund to members after they cease to be such members,” an office order said.

EPFO’s Central Provident Fund Commissioner K K Jalan has said that these directives shall help the body in getting the bank account details of all the members which are necessary for making UAN operational.

At present, EPFO has already captured bank account details in respect of 1.80 crore employees, PAN details in respect of 86.9 lakh employees and Aadhar number in respect of 28.2 lakh employees.

The EPFO is in the process of making portable Universal PF Account Number (UAN) operational for its 4.17 crore contributing subscribers by October 15.

The body had started the process of seeding the 4.17 crore UANs with subscribers bank account numbers, PAN, Aadhaar and other Know-your-Customers (KYC) details to improve the delivery of its services in July this year.

As per the office order, the firms will have to furnish the information regarding the core banking account number with IFSC code of the bank branch in respect of existing members by October 15.

Besides the employers shall provide the information regarding bank account and IFSC code in respect of previous members under their employment by October 31.

The order further stated that every employer henceforth will provide the core banking account number with IFSC code of the bank branch in respect of every new member on joining the Fund.

As per the order, the subscribers of the fund who are presently not employees of any establishment, will provide their core banking account numbers with IFSC code of the bank branch, a crossed cheque folio with member’s name printed thereon and their previous PF account number themselves at any Regional or Sub-Regional Office of the EPFO. These category of members shall be provided this information by November 31.

Source :http://goo.gl/Z7UjcF

Read More »

Criteria of Employees for Coming Under Purview of EPFO

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Labour & Employment 

Criteria of Employees for Coming Under Purview of EPFO 

The Minister of State for Mines, Steel and Labour and Employment, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 applies to every establishment which is a factory engaged in any industry specified in Schedule- I or falls in class of establishments notified by the Government and engaging twenty or more persons. 

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that a proposal to reduce the threshold limit from 20 persons to 10 persons for coverage under the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is included in the comprehensive amendment to the Act, which is under consideration of the Government. 

The Minister said that the timeframe for implementing this proposal has not been fixed. The number of employees to be benefited from this proposal has not been worked out. 

Read More »

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar Launches Online PF Code Allotment System

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Labour & Employment 

The Union Minister for Steel, Mines and Labour & Employment, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has launched the online registration system for allotment of Provident Fund Code Number, which can be used by establishments in New Delhi today. On the occasion, he said that his Government was committed to provide better services to stakeholders. He congratulated the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for achieving one of the tasks given by him regarding provision of this facility. He hoped that EPFO will also achieve other tasks assigned to it for first 100 days, including the allocation of Universal Account Number to the members of the fund. 

On the occasion, the Union Minister of State, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that this facility will make the establishment registration system easy and transparent. The Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Smt. Gauri Kumar was also present on the occasion. 

It was observed that earlier establishments which had to take a PF code number were required to make a physical application and submit the same at the PF office concerned. This sometimes led to avoidable delays in getting the code number. With the introduction of the new facility, such establishments can register themselves online through a link provided in the Organisation’s website. All the necessary instructions for filling up of the form and checklist have been provided online. On successful completion of the registration process, the PF code number will be allotted online after verification of the PAN number entered by the applicant within a day. This is also done by the system without manual intervention. A dashboard will be provided on the website to track the status of applications. 

The adoption of this new process would drastically cut short the time required for getting code number and it is a part of the commitment of the Organisation to be more responsive to the needs of the stakeholders by utilizing technology. This is also expected to address the criticism that establishments face many hurdles and bureaucratic delays in starting their businesses in the country and therefore this initiative would help in establishing a business-friendly and pro-compliance environment. 

Source: PIB

Read More »

EPFO likely to provide 9% interest for 2014-15

Retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to provide nine per cent rate of interest on provident fund (PF) deposits for the current financial year to its 50 million subscribers, slightly higher than 8.75 per cent paid in 2013-14.

"The initial estimates indicate EPFO can easily provide nine per cent rate of interest on PF deposits for 2014-15," a source said.

According to him, improved market conditions, specially after the formation of a new government at Centre last month, have raised expectations of higher yields from various investments by the body.

PENSION POT

• EPFO is a retirement fund body
• It manages a corpus of Rs 5 lakh crore
• It has got Rs 71,195 crore as incremental deposits in 2013-14
• This is 16% higher than Rs 61,143 crore in 2012-13

EPFO manages a corpus of over Rs 5 lakh crore. It has received Rs 71,195 crore as incremental deposits from its subscribers under social security schemes run by it during 2013-14, 16 per cent higher than Rs 61,143 crore collected by it in 2012-13.

The source said EPFO also plans to unlock its investment of around Rs 55,000 crore in Special Deposit Scheme (SDS). The government pays a fixed rate of eight per cent on SDS to EPFO which is lower than other investment options available in the present legal frame work.

EPFO is also expected to improve yields or returns on its investment under the new norms prescribed under an investment pattern notified by the Labour Ministry last year.

According to the new pattern, EPFO can invest up to 55 per cent of its funds in debt securities issued by banks and financial institution and other body corporates.

The new investment pattern also allows EPFO to invest up to five per cent of its corpus into money market instruments, including units of mutual funds, equity linked schemes regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India.

The new investment norms also provide for parking up to 55 per cent of the EPFO funds in a new category comprising government and state bonds.

Source:http://www.business-standard.com/article/pf/epfo-likely-to-provide-9-interest-for-2014-15-114060600733_1.html

Read More »

EPFO panel grant regular tax exemption to 68 private PF trusts

EPFO panel grant regular tax exemption to 68 private PF trusts

An empowered committee of the retirement fund body EPFO today approved granting regular tax exemption to 68 private provident fund trusts, which would provide tax benefits for subscribers of these firms.

The meeting was called as Finance Minister P Chidambaram did not extend a March 31 deadline for the trusts to get regular tax exemption through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Chidambaram made it mandatory in 2006 for these trusts to procure an exemption certificate by March 31, 2007, a deadline that has been extended and is now set to expire on March 31.

"The first meeting of an empowered committee held today for granting regular tax exemption to private PF trusts. We have approved 68 such cases," EPFO Central PF Commissioner K K Jalan told PTI.

Regular tax exemption is granted by the EPFO's apex decision-making body, the Central Board of Trustees, headed by the Labour Minister. However, the power to grant exemption was delegated to the committee by the trustees on January 13.

According to a senior official, EPFO is still processing applications from 168 such trusts, for grant of regular tax exemption. EPFO head office has received around 30 more such applications after January this year.

Jalan, who is also heading the committee, said that the panel would take up more such applications in the next meeting which may be called in next fortnight.

Private PF trusts are formed by firms that manage the money and accounts of their workers themselves and have exemption from filing PF returns. The members of these trusts enjoy income tax and other benefits at par with EPFO subscribers.

Such trusts can start functioning after seeking ad hoc tax exemption from the regional commissioner after which they apply for regular tax exemption.

Once approved, a PF trust's regular tax exemption is notified by the Labour Ministry or state government.

According to an official, if the deadline for getting regular tax exemption is not extended in the full-fledged budget to be presented by the next government after the general elections then the defaulting trusts would come under the income tax net.

At present, the EPF subscribers are exempted from paying income tax on deposits, accrual of interest and withdrawal of their funds.

Meanwhile, the EPFO has made it mandatory for all such trusts to file their returns online from April 1, 2014.

Source:www.business-standard.com

Read More »

Fixed medical allowance payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor treatment-Clarification.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation

(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. Of India)

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14-Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066

No. HRM-8/V/12/1/2003/FMA/Vol-II/26632

Dated: – 14th March 2014

To, 

     All Addl. Central P.F. Commissioner (Zones)/Director (NATRSS)

     All RPFCs-In-Charge of the Region (including RPFC (ASD)

     All Officer-In-Charge of SROs

Subject: Fixed medical allowance payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor treatment-Clarification.

Reference: HRM-8/V/12(1)2003/FMA/Vo1.-II/6160 dated 13.06.2013

Sir/Madam,

The Employees & Pensioners of the EPFO, who are not covered under Central Government Health Scheme, (CGHS) are paid Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) per month to cater to the cost of medicines/treatment etc. where hospitalization is not involved. At present, FMA is being given to employees/pensioners @ Rs. 2000 p.m.

Several references have been received regarding admissibility of Fixed Medical Allowance to both the spouse ,who are working or retired. In this regard it is clarified as under:-

a) In the following cases, only one of the spouse will be eligible for the facility of Fixed Medical Allowance

i) If both husband and wife are working in the EPF Organisation or both of them have retired from EPFO & are in same station.

ii) In case where one is EPFO employee & the spouse is EPFO pensioner & are in same station.

iii) In case where one is serving/retired official of EPFO and spouse is serving/retired Government or any other organization (including private Firm/Office).

Notwithstanding anything said above, if any one of the spouse is posted outside station (working), residing separately and need medical facilities as per entitlement without spouse, then both of them will be eligible for FMA.

b) As per the aforementioned circular dated 13.06.2013, if two or more members of ‘family’ are working in the EPFO, only one of them will be eligible for the facility of Fixed Medical Allowance. In this regard, it is further clarified that besides the spouse, other members of the ‘family’ as defined in CS (MA) Rules, 1944, who are working in EPFO & who are not dependent and also not residing with govt. servant shall be considered as a separate entity.

c) In the case of an EPFO employee whose wife/husband is an employee of a Government or any other organization (including private Firm/Office) he/she will be required to give an undertaking that his/her spouse is not availing of medical facilities in cash, if any, granted by their respective employers, so as to be eligible to receive FMA in EPFO.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(UDAY BAXI )

REGIONAL P.F. COMMISSIONER-I (HRM)

Source:http://www.epfindia.com/Circulars/Y2013-14/HRM8_FMA_26632.pdf

Read More »

EPFO to raise retirement age of organised sector workers

EPFO’s apex decision making body the Central Board of Trustee (CBT) will consider a proposal to raise the retirement age of organised sector workers to 60 years for its pension at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Besides, the CBT in this meeting will also deliberate on a proposal to withdraw two years bonus under the pension scheme provided to subscribers after rendering 20 years of pensionable service.

These proposals are included in the agenda for the CBT meeting scheduled on February 5 to be chaired by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes.

At present, under the Employees’ Pension Scheme(EPS-95), the subscribers of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) cease to be a member of the pension scheme and can apply for fixation of his/her pension. Thus, he cannot contribute to the scheme after the age of 58 years.

However, there is no age bar for contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme (EFF) 1952 and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme 1976 run by the EPFO, an official said.

The Finance Ministry in its memorandum to Labour Ministry has proposed these amendments in the EPS-95 after giving its concurrence for providing a minimum entitlement of Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under the scheme.

The Finance Ministry is of the view that raising the retirement age for this purpose will help subscribers accumulate a bigger corpus while delaying the pay-out by two years.

The proposal, if approved, would immediately benefit 27 lakh pensioners. At present, there are about 44 lakh pensioners. Of this 27 lakh, including 5 lakh widows, get less than Rs 1,000 a month.

The Finance Ministry has already agreed to pay Rs 1,217 crore during 2014-15 for ensuring minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month under the pension scheme.

During the meeting the, CBT is likely to approve the proposal for amending the the EPS-95, EPF and EDLI scheme to enhance the maximum wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 per month from Rs 6,500 per month.

At present, EPFO does not cover organised workers under its social sector schemes whose basic wages including basic pay and dearness allowance exceed Rs 6,500 at the time of joining of service.

Besides other things, the trustees will also consider the proposal for computing the pensionable salary. It is proposed to calculate pensionable salary on the basis of average of salary last 60 months instead of 12 months presently.

The pensionable salary is used for fixing pension of the EPFO subscribers after attaining the age of 58 years.

Source- Economic times

Read More »

EPFO Makes Further Progress MORE than 10 Lakh Claims Settled by EPFO in October, 2013 EPFO Stresses on Complaint Resolution.

               The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) settled 10,21,922 claims during the month of October, 2013.  This number is 28% higher than the claims settled in the month of September, 2013. 72% of these claims were settled within 10 days while remaining 28% were settled within 30 days.  EPFO’s efforts in grievance redressal has paid dividends.  Number of complaints in Central Public Grievances Redressal System (CPGRAM) has come down to less than 100.  No. of grievances in Employees Provident Fund internet Grievance System (EPFiGMS) which has been activated lately have also got reduced from more than 25,000 to less than 5,500. Shri K.K. Jalan, Central Provident Fund Commissioner expressed his happiness over the fact that 108 offices out of 123 offices of EPFO do not have a single complaint pending for more than 30 days.
 
               These data were revealed during  a meeting convened today by the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) Shri K.K.Jalan.  He also informed that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation got a receipt of 5,689 crores as remittances during the month of October, 2013 through 4.86 lakh establishments, which filed electronic challans cum return. He was also happy to note that a annual account updation software which was launched in September, 2013 has resulted into updation of 8.21 crores annual accounts till October, 2013.

Read More »

EPFO Rerformance in September 2013

   While reviewing the work of Employees Provident Fund Organisation during September 2013, it has been observed that the Organisation settled 7,96,759 claims in its 123 offices located throughout the country compared to 7,49,639 claims settled during September 2012. More than 50 % of the offices settled more than 80% of the claims within 10 days of receipt. Offices such as Ujjain, Gwalior, Udaipur, Jabalpur, Agra and Laxmi Nagar among many others are settling 80% of the claims within 3 days. The review meeting was taken by Shri K. K. Jalan, CPFC recently.

   In addition to the above, the Organisation responded to 16,586 grievances in the month of September. As a result, the number of total grievances has come to around 6,000. The earlier number was more than 25,000. It is also relevant that 101 of the 123 offices have no grievance pending for more than a month.

Read More »

Declaration of Productivity Linked Bonus (P.L.B.) for the year 2012-2013.

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation
(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. Of India)

No. WSU/12(1)12012-13/PLB/13048

Date: 09 Oct 2013

All Regional P.F. Commissioners
In-charge of the ROs/SROs
Regional P.F. Commissioner-I(ASD), Head Office

Sub: Declaration of Productivity Linked Bonus (P.L.B.) for the year 2012-2013.

Sir,
   The Central Government, under Section 5D(7) of the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 has conveyed its approval to the extension of the existing Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme 1998-2004 (Revised) for the year 2012-2013 vide their letter No A-26022/1/1994-SS.1 dated 07th October 2013.

Read More »

Digital Signatures Under EPFO.

   The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has not made it mandatory for all employers with more than 1000 workers to send their digital signatures to the EPFO.

   However, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is implementing the facility for online claim settlement in respect of transfer claims. This facility is optional and the claims can either be filed on line or through physical form. The system will be made operative after digital signature of willing employer or his representative is registered with EPFO. Necessary communication to this effect has already been sent to all employers and the process of registration of digital signature has also begun.

Read More »

Data of Members under Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)

   Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has date of birth details for more than 4 crore members out of a total members of 8.87 crore as on 01.08.2013. Web facility has been provided to the Employers to upload the date of birth details of all employees. Further, Field Offices of EPFO have been directed to ask Employers to upload these details.

   Providing Annual Statement of Accounts (Account Slips) to the members of EPF is already in place. Para 73(1) of the EPF Scheme 1952 lays down that a statement of account in respect of each member through his last employer to be sent after the close of each year.

   Besides, the following facilities have also been provided for the PF members to know their PF balance:

Read More »

Increase in Death Relief Fund in the 23rd meeting EPF CSWC .

Provident Fund organization
(Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India)
Head Office Bhavisnya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaji Carna Place,
New Delhi-110 066.

No. Welfare/23rd Annual Meeting/CSWC/2013/6846

Dated: 14.6.2013

To
Regional Provident Fund Commissioners,

Subject: Increase in Death Relief Fund in the 23rd meeting EPF CSWC .

Sir,
   Kindly refer to this Office letter No. Welfare/2(1)20th meeting/09/87631 dated 13-2-2009 through which it was circulated that Death Relief Fund will be given to the tune of Rs.2,00,000/.-(Rupees Two Lakh Only) in case of Natural Death during the service and Rs. 2.50 Lakh in cases of accidents and Cancer.

Read More »

Enhancement in the rate of Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 2000/- p.m. w.e.f 01.03.2013, payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor medical treatment - regarding.

Employees Provident Fund Organization
(Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India)

No, HRM-8/V/12/1/2003/FMA/Vol-117/6160

Dated 13 JUN 2013

To,
All Addl. Central P F. Commissioner (Zones)
Director (NATRSS)
All RPFCs-In-Charge of the Region/ZTIs
RPFC (ASD), Head Office
All Officer-in-charge of SROs

Sub:- Enhancement in the rate of Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 2000/- p.m. w.e.f 01.03.2013, payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor medical treatment - regarding.

Sir,

   I am directed to convey the approval of the 76th Executive Committee, CBT, EPF held on 25.02.2013 and Hon'ble Labour & Employment Minister, Government of India for enhancement of the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for pensioners and employees of EPFO from Rs. 1200/- p.m. to Rs 2000/- p.m w.e.f. 1st March, 2013, subject to the following conditions :-

Read More »

Leveraging Aadhaar for improving the services of EPFO — regarding.

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation
Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. Of India
Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14-Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066

R-I/UID/2010/37496

date: 06.02.2013

To
All ACCs (Political states),
All RPFC-I (In-charge of Regions),
All RPFC-II (In-charge of SROs)
(Through web circulation)

Subject:- Leveraging Aadhaar for improving the services of EPFO — regarding.

Sir,
     This is in reference to Head Office letter No. RI/UID/2010/30051 dated 21.01.2013 on the subject cited above.

   The issue of expeditious enrolment of the EPF members was discussed with UIDAI Officials. It has emerged that UIDAI through its registrars has been organising enrolment camps in 18 states only. Register General of India (RGI) has been collecting data in respect of the remaining states through National Population Register (NPR). While the data collected by RGI is also being processed for issue of Aadhaar numbers by UIDAI, the methodology used by RG1 for setting up enrolment camps is different i.e. it is being done on the basis of house-to-house data collected by enumerators during Census Operations 2011, unlike UIDAI camps, where any resident, irrespective of the place of residence, can get himself enrolled for Aadhaar number. Thus enrolment may take considerable time.

Read More »