KUPWARA: Employees Provident Fund Organization, J&K in collaboration with District Administration, Kupwara today conducted an awareness programme on registration process and benefits of social security schemes and insurance schemes of EPFO for the welfare of contract, outsourced, and other part-time employees engaged by government departments and private originations.
The meeting was attended by Accounts Officer DC Office Kupwara and various other district and sectoral officers, who gave a brief about the conduct of the Awareness Programme, besides welcoming P F Commissioner.
The P F Commissioner Rizwan Uddin addressed the Officers on applicability of EPF & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The Commissioner elaborated the provisions of Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 and Employees Deposit Linked Insurance scheme,1976 especially responsibility of departments and Organizations in registering process of their employees. He also explained to the audience about the process of registration of Principal Employers on the online portal of the EPFO.
The Commissioner advised all the departments to extend benefits of aforesaid Schemes to all contract and outsourced employees engaged under various Govt departments directly or indirectly. He 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 benefited financially in case of need. He asked the CEO and CMO to register staff of educational and medical institutions, whether government or private.
As per the act, he said, it is the duty and responsibility of Principal Employer to register their employees and added that EPFO also provides a link in EPFO website about registration of Principal Employer to register the contractors engaged by the said departments.
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, member automatically get membership of EPF pension scheme, 1995 and EDLI scheme, 1976. If any member dies while in service, the nominee, widow or widower will get pension lifelong along with 2 children up to the age of 25 irrespective of their marital status and the nominee will get maximum benefit of Rs.7.5 Lakhs 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.
Commissioner, Rizwan Uddin appreciated the collaboration of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir and expressed the need for further follow-up by District Administration and associate Offices to extend Social Security in the district.
The Commissioner provided WhatsApp helpline numbers (for Jammu 6006567049) and (for Kashmir 7780813099) and said the helpline is available to get any advice or to clear any doubt for larger benefits of society, especially the poor labour class.
Earlier in the morning, the PF Commissioner called on the Brigrader Sanjay Gotum, 28 Infantry Division, Zangli and discussed the future outreach programme to be held for Adm. Commandants regarding implementation of EPF and MPH 1952 in various units of the Indian Army where contractual employees are engaged.
