Death Claims to be Processed within 07 Days and Retirement Claims to be Settled on the Day of Retirement
Payment of Statutory Contributions Henceforth only through Internet Banking
The Prime Minister of India during the PRAGATI review meeting held on
26th October desired that claims related to death cases be prioritized
and expedited and retirement claims may be settled on the day of
retirement. In accordance, the processes have been reviewed and
instructions have been issued to field offices to settle death claims
within a period of 07 days from the date of receipt of proposal and
retirement claims on the day of retirement. The officials in the
facilitation centre of field offices have been instructed to scrutinize
the claims and guide the claimant regarding submission of required
documents in appropriate shape. An official has been posted in the
facilitation centers of EPFO this category of claims.
Employers are now increasingly using internet banking to deposit
statutory EPF dues since EPFO made it mandatory to use internet banking
as the mode of receipt of EPF dues. 96.03% contributions in October 2016
were received online.
In an important judgment delivered by the High Court of Madras in the
matter of writ petition filed by Builders Association of India, Madurai,
the High Court dismissed the petition praying non enforcement of EPF
& MP Act, 1952 every employee employed in or in connection with the
work or that factory or establishment, other than an excluded employee,
who has not become a member already shall also be entitled and required
to become a member of the Fund from the date of joining the factory or
establishment.
To expand the reach of convenience offered to EPF members, EPFO has
joined the network of Common Services Centers (CSC). A Memorandum of
understanding (MoU) has been signed between EPFO and CSC e-Governance
Services India Limited (CSC SPV) on 25th October 2016. The MoU is
initially for a period of five years. Every year on 14st November,
pensioners were required to submit their life certificates. From this
year onward, pensioners can submit digital life certificates via Jeevan
Pramaan Patra programme through a large number of points of Presence
(PoP) of CSC network in addition to those available at EPFO offices. The
pensioners living in remote areas can avoid cost and inconvenience of
travelling down to the EPF offices or their banks for filing paper based
life certificate through this arrangement.
Source : PIB
