Seminar on Employees’ Provident Funds and M P Act

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 12

Providing social security to the citizens, especially to those who contribute to the growth and development of the National Economy, is one of the major responsibilities of the State, and enactment of the Employees Provident Fund Act of 1952, by the Govt. of India was a positive step in this direction. On this backdrop, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry today organised a seminar on Employees’ Provident Funds and M P Act – Implementation & Difficulties.

Deliberating on the provisions of the EPF and MP Act, Central Provident Funds Commissioner, Mr. R C Mishra said said that the labor laws which were enacted 50-60 years back were based on the mistrust when the employer was usually considered as the exploiter of the labour. But now the mindset has changed and the labour is considered as partner with the employer in the process of production. Therefore labour laws including the EPF and MP Act needs comprehensive amendment.  Accepting the need of a Permanent Account Number and non availability of a central database in EPFO, Mr. Mishra added that they are working towards a process where redundancy in work can be reduced and allotment of PAN on priority basis to the casual worker. He also stressed the need for continous dialogue with the stakeholders to resolve the issues and mentioned that he has created a committee of group of senior officers of EPFO to find out the difficulties of stakeholders and suggestions for the amendments of law, if needed.

Addressing the seminar, Mr. B K Panda, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, (New Delhi) said that due to computerization from April 2012, 86 % of the cases of settlement and 80 % of the cases of transfers etc have been settled within the stipulated period. He also mentioned that the process of computerization shall reduce the paper work to a great extent.

Welcoming the guests and speakers at the occasion, Past President and Chairman, Industrial Relations Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Ravi Wig said highlighted the difficulties faced by the casual workers who usually changes their job depending upon availability of work for short durations. Under the existing accounting system, it is very difficult for a casual worker to get his PF accumulation back. He suggested that allotment of PAN which could be accessible from any place would be the only solution to help such casual workers.

Mr Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber emphasized that the compliance of EPF provisions by the employer should be due to his responsibility towards the employee rather than mere following the orders out of fear of law and also stressed upon the socio-economic security of the workers of both organised and unorganised sector.

Also present in the session were Mr S K Khanna, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner (Punjab & HP), Mr B K Panda, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, (New Delhi), Mr S K Aggarwal, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (Punjab & UT) ,  Mr S C Goyal, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (Shimla, HP) , Mr S C Sharma, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, (Hq) and Mr Rambir Dalal from KPMG.