EPFO asks field staff to settle death claim in 7 days

New Delhi: Retirement fund body EPFO has asked its over 120 field offices to settle death claims within 7 days and retirement PF claims on the day of superannuation.

"The Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the PRAGATI review meeting held on October 26 (2016) desired that claims related to death cases be prioritised and expedited and retirement claims may be settled on the day of retirement," Employees' Provident Fund Organisation said in a statement.

In accordance, it added, the processes have been reviewed and instructions issued to field offices to settle death claims within 7 days from the date of receipt of proposal, and retirement claims on the day of retirement.

EPFO has instructed its Public Relation Officers and officials in the facilitation centres of field offices to scrutinise the claims and guide claimants regarding submission of required documents in appropriate shape.

An official has been posted in the facilitation centres of EPFO for this category of claims, it said.

Besides, it stated that employers are now increasingly using Internet banking to deposit statutory EPF dues since EPFO made it mandatory to use Internet banking as the mode of receipt dues.

About 96 percent contributions in October 2016 were received online.

EPFO said that in an important judgement Madras High Court dismissed the petition of Builders Association of India, Madurai, praying non enforcement of EPF & MP Act, 1952 in respect of temporary and casual workers.

The High Court stated that provisions of the Act and schemes is applicable to workers including causal workers.

As per para 26(2) of the EPF Scheme, 1952 every employee is required to become a member of the Fund from the date of joining the factory or establishment.

To expand the reach of convenience offered to EPF members, EPFO has joined the network of Common Services Centres (CSC).

An MoU has been signed between EPFO and CSC e-Governance Services India (CSC SPV) on October 25, 2016. The MoU is initially for a period of five years.

EPFO further said that from this year onward, pensioners can submit digital life certificates via Jeevan Pramaan Patra programme through a large number of Points of Presence (PoP) of CSC network in addition to those available at EPFO offices.

Every year on November 1, pensioners were required to submit their life certificates.

Pensioners living in remote areas can avoid cost and inconvenience of travelling to EPF offices or banks for filing paper based life certificate through this arrangement, it added.