Employers advised to deposit EPF contributions
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 02 2023:
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Organisation under Ministry of Labour and Empowerment has announced that immediate action shall be taken against the employers under relevant Act if they fail to deposit EPF Contributions.
In a notification, Regional PF commissioner-1 Khundrakpam Rupeshor Singh informed that the announcement was made during a one day 'Outreach programme on EPF and MP Act, 1952' held at the Examination Hall of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on Thursday.
As a follow-up to the announcement, 234 defaulting establishments in the state were identified and notice issued to them as a precursor to prosecuting the employers under section 14 of the Act which provides for imprisonment that may extend up to 3 years, the notification mentioned.
While informing that punitive action will also be initiated against employers of establishments having 20 or more employees and come under the purview of the EPF & MP Act 1952 but are not registered with EPFO or not depositing EPF dues, Rupeshor instructed employers coming under the purview of the Act to immediately comply with the order while asserting that deposit of EPF and allied dues is mandatory and not voluntary.
Eligible employees covered under the EPF & MP Act 1952 have the social security cover of Provident Fund, Pension, and Insurance, Rupeshor informed.
Provisional estimate of net payroll as per EPFO records in 2021-22 and April-November 2022 for the age bucket of 'less than 18 years' was 14 and 22 respectively, 261 and440 for '18-21 years', 494 and 977 for '21-25 years', 276 and 643 for '25-28 years', 306 and 715 for '29-35 years' and 253 and 552 respectively for 'more than 35 years', the notification informed.