RPFC-1 warns establishments flouting Provident Fund norms of strict action

LUDHIANA: A media interaction was held on Tuesday by Saurabh Swami, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC)- I who has taken charge of Ludhiana Regional Office of Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) recently. During his address Swami disclosed that there is large number of establishments in Ludhiana which despite falling under the registration under EPFO are not doing so and action against such businesses is likely in case they do not comply soon.
Speaking on the issue Swami said, "Prima facie the difference between the working force working in Ludhiana and the total number of Provident Fund holders as per the Industrial Census is huge, and this number does not get reflected in total number of Provident Fund members.
Regional Office, Ludhiana has collected data that many institutions which may come under the Provident Fund Act 1952 have not registered themselves and there are some institutions which do not deposit the contribution of all their members, and deprive them of taking benefits related to provident fund scheme. On the basis of this data, the possibility of evasion by the establishments is suspected, therefore all the employers, institutions are urged to voluntarily bring their institutions under various sections of the Employees' Provident Fund Act, 1952, otherwise, the institution which is continuously and intentionally depositing EPF contribution less than the actual number of employees, strict action will be taken against them"
Swami also added, "We appeal to all the employers to get e-nomination of all their employees done at a fast pace so that all the employees can fill their provident fund claims online, by using digital portal run by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India like Umang App, etc. This will also reduce the possibilities of wrong payment in settlement of claims. In the event of KYC/e-nomination being approved, members will not have to depend on employers for verification of provident fund claims etc. and the member can fill any type of provident fund claim online as per his requirement. From time to time, employers harass members for provident fund withdrawal and other facilities, in relation to provident fund. Once the KYC/e-nomination is updated, dependence on employers can be reduced. Therefore, all the employers are appealed to ensure that the work of KYC upload and approval of all the shareholders is completed immediately"
Along with this, the RPFC-1 also gave a message that the Regional Office is committed to speedy execution of all complaints, employers and employees who have any kind of complaint can register their complaint on EPFIGMS PORTAL, where the complaints will be disposed of quickly. This is done as it is directly under the supervision of Head Office, New Delhi. Apart from this, any shareholder can also put their grievances in the LokAdalat which is held on 10th of every month at Regional Office, Ludhiana.