Lok Sabha Question No. 4180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Benefit of EPFO in Jharkhand
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4180 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## BENEFIT OF EPFO IN JHARKHAND

†4180. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether the Employees covered under Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) are getting proper benefit of Provident Fund, family pension and deposit linked Insurance Schemes in Jharkhand;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the Government is aware of the problems/difficulties being faced by  the  employees  working  in  various  organisations  and  public  sector undertakings in Jharkhand;
- (d)if so, the details thereof along with the remedial steps taken/being taken in this regard;
- (e)whether the Government has received complaints of irregularities committed  by  EPFO  in  Jharkhand  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year; and
- (f)if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) & (b): All benefits which are envisaged under the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 and the Schemes framed  thereunder  are  made  available  to  all  employees  covered  under  the Act including in the State of Jharkhand.  Efforts are also made for:
- (i) timely settlement of Provident Fund, Pension and Deposit LinkedInsurance Scheme claims: and
- (ii)  prompt  action  for  coverage  of  establishments  as  well  as  members  to bring  them  under  the  ambit  of  Employees'  Provident  Fund  (EPF)  whenever any such establishment comes to the notice of the EPFO.

Contd..2/-

(c) & (d): Issues faced by members have been received by EPFO through representations  and  letters  from  various  quarters  from  time  to  time.  To address these issues, a number of steps have been taken, including:

(i)  Proceedings  under  Section  7A  of  the  EPF  &  MP  Act,  1952  are  initiated against the defaulter establishment.

(ii) Enforcement Officers are deputed for survey of such establishments who have not extended PF benefits to the employees.

(iii) EPFO have been collecting the details of employees i.e., Aadhar Number, Bank  details  for  allotment  of  Universal  Account  Number  (UAN)/Know  your customer (KYC) so that the employees get benefits of the Act in seamless and hassle-free manner.

- (iv) EPFO Organizes seminars for employers as well as employees from time to time to dessiminate information about their rights, obligations and duties as well as on how benefits of technology  can be availed by them.

(v)  A  regular  forum  NIDHI  APKE  DWAR  is  held  on  10 th   of  every  month  at Regional  Office  as  well  as  Sub-Regional  Offices  to  address  and  resolve issues faced by employees and employers.

(vi) An online grievance redressal system (EPFiGMS) and Facilitation Centers have  been  opened  to  address  members'  grievances  at  Regional  &  SubRegional Offices. Efforts are made to resolve the grievances within 20 days.

(e) & (f): There  are  no  reports  of  EPFO  working  against  the  interests  of workers  in  the  country,  including  the  State  of  Jharkhand.  Whenever  any complaint  of  irregularities  is  noticed  appropriate  action  is  initiated  as  per rules by EPFO.  In 2015-16 one case of fraudulent withdrawal of Rs. 88,400/from PF account of Shri Indradev Yadav was noticed, which has been since recovered.  An FIR has been lodged with the police.

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