Poonch: An outreach programme was Friday organised by Employees Provident Fund Office J&K and Ladakh here along with the government officers in coordination of District Administration.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Dr.Bashara Hussain; DFO (SF), Suresh Manda; CEO PDA, Dr. Mohd. Tanveer; ACD, Abid Hussain Shah; CMO, Dr.Shamim Bhatti; CHO, Sanjeev Kumar; CAO, Rakesh Kumar; Chief Account Officer, HaniefTantary; District Employment Officer, Rayees Iqbal; ARTO Poonch, BasharatMehmood, beside other officers were present in the meeting.
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, Rizwan Uddin and SSSA, EPFO, Regional Office, Jammu, Rajasekhar, addressed the Officials on applicability of EPF &Mp Act, 1952.
Special emphasis was laid on Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 and EDLI scheme, 1976, as these benefits have been introduced in J&K’s from November, 2019.
The Commissioner advised all the Departments to extend benefits of aforesaid Schemes to all contract and outsourced employees engaged under various Government departments directly or indirectly.
The departments were further asked to ensure that the contractors executing Government works are registered under EPF &Mp Act, 1952.
“As per the act it is the duty and responsibility of the Principal employer. EPFO also provides a link in EPFO website about registration of Principal Employer to register the contractors engaged by the said departments” the meeting was told.
RPFC-1, explained about 3 schemes and benefits of EPF &Mp Act, 1952. If any employee becomes an EPF member, members automatically get membership of pension scheme 1995 and Edli scheme 1976. If any member dies while in service the nominee/widow/widower will get pension lifelong along with 2 children upto the age of 25 irrespective of their marital status and the nominee will get maximum benefit of Rs. 7.5 Lakhs/- under the 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.
Later another outreach Program was conducted at Zia UlUloom School with private schools association and Department of Education.
All Schools were advised to remit monthly contributions. Sri Narender Mohan Suri, DEPO, coordinated the programme.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Rizwan Uddin appreciated the initiative taken by Deputy Commissioner Poonch, InderJeet, while visiting DC Office expressed the need for further follow up by District Administration and associate Offices to extend Social Security in the border District Poonch.