PAY EPF DUES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OR FACE LEGAL ACTION: EPF COMMISSIONER

Dhiramohan Ray,Odishabarta

Talcher:It is reported that 3 staffs currently engaged by management at Pabitranagar Higher secondary school. Dhananjay singh joined in 2006, Binati Pradhan & Dambarudhar Nath joined their service in 2014, 2015 respectively. As per EPF norms all staff are eligible to get EPF entitlements from their joining, but unfortunately only one staff i.e. Dhananjay Singh getting his entitlements from joining and other two staffs deprived from it.

All these information revealed by Talcher based RTI Activist Deba Prasad Sahoo. After getting information, in May 2022, he filed written complaint to Regional EPF commissioner Bhubaneswar and Sub Collector Talcher (GB President of this school). Commissioner took it very seriously and issued orders to the concerned principal to release PF benefits. In between 8months passed but no action taken by principal. Being aggrieved Mr. Sahoo knocked the doors of Central EPF Commission, New Delhi in February 2023. Matter was taken up and EPF Commissioner Cuttack ordered for further action. EPF Cuttack directed principal to submit detailed report. In response, principal denied to release EPF benefits while claiming irregularities in appointment of both staff. But EPF commissioner refused to accept such grounds and ordered principal to deposit EPF money within 7days i.e. before 15th March 2023 otherwise legal action will be taken against principal without further intimation.

Shri Sahoo added; he will approach Hon’ble High Court if EPF commissioner fails to take action against principal for non disbursal of epf entitlements to eligible employees. EPF is guaranteed rights of an employee, nobody can deprive an employee it’s rights.