Kashmir News Trust #KNT
Employees Provident Fund Organization, J&K and Ladakh in collaboration with District Administration, Budgam conducted an awareness programme on the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952 and three schemes framed thereunder. The benefit of Insurance (up to Rs 7 Lakhs) under Employees ‘Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme and Pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 for the welfare of contractual, outsourced, and other part-time employees engaged by various government departments and private organizations.
The meeting was attended by different sectoral heads from tourism, education, health, agriculture, horticulture, labour, R&B, PDD, Jal Shakti, Industries, Social Welfare, Food Civil Supplies all MCS.
Stressing on a maximum number of eligible employees under different insurance and pension schemes, PF Commissioner Rizwan Uddin, deliberated about the applicability of EPF & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and elaborated on the provisions of Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 and Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme,1976 especially the responsibility of departments/ Organizations in registering process of their employees. He advised all the Departments to extend the benefits of these Schemes to all contract and outsourced employees engaged under various Govt departments directly or indirectly. He also explained to the audience about the process of registration of Principal Employers on the online portal of the EPFO.
The commissioner PF also said that contractors executing works under different departments like RDD, PMGSY, R&B, Jal Sakhti, KPDCL, etc. should be registered under EPF & MP Act, 1952 so that their social security is ensured and they are benefitted financially in case of need.
As per the act, he said, it is the duty and responsibility of Principal Employer to register their employees and EPFO also provides a link in the EPFO website about registration of Principal Employer to register the contractors engaged by the said departments.
The Commissioner on the occasion asked departments to make an Outreach Programme about the registration process of EPFO schemes so that more and more people are covered under the schemes.
As per the Act, if any employee becomes an EPF member, the member automatically gets membership of the EPF pension scheme, 1995 and EDLI scheme, 1976. If any member dies while in service, the nominee/widow/widower will get a pension lifelong along with 2 children up to the age of 25 irrespective of their marital status and the nominee will get a maximum benefit of Rs. 7. 5Lakhs/- under EDLI scheme. There are other pensions provided under the scheme as per eligibility of membership like superannuation, early pension, disability pension, orphan pension, widow pension and nominee pension.
PF Commissioner, Rizwan Uddin appreciated the collaboration of District Administration Budgam and expressed the need for further follow up by District Administration and associate Offices to extend Social Security in the district.
Later on, the PF commissioner also met presidents of different Lab units of the District and was impressed that they will coordinate in the identification of contractors engaging in construction works in different projects and subsequent in their registration process.
