EPFO: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched an upgraded version of the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR). This feature has been implemented starting with the September salary. The EPFO ​​announced this in a notification. This feature separates the return submission and payment processes. System-based verification is also provided. This is intended to prevent the submission of incorrect ECRs.

According to a report published in Business Standard, Sections 18B and 7Q of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation provide for the calculation of losses and interest. Section 7Q mandates the payment of interest along with monthly contributions. It should be noted that Section 7Q requires employers to pay interest on any EPF dues on time. The EPFO ​​stated that the new feature will separate returns and payments, making the process more streamlined. This update will also help employees better understand the status of their contributions.

Changes in the upgraded version

1- Easier return and payment segregation

2- System-based verification to prevent incorrect ECR submission

3- Calculation of penalties and interest alongside ECR

4- Facility to amend ECR with certain conditions

5- No change to the existing ECR format.

Learn what ECR is.

ECR is a mandatory monthly electronic return submitted by employers to the EPFO. It contains information on members’ salaries, contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) schemes. ECR serves as both a return and a challan for payments. Meanwhile, the EPFO ​​has introduced several key reforms aimed at making its services more transparent, accessible, and user-friendly for millions of subscribers across the country.

EPFO Makes Several Important Changes

Death Claims Made Easier

If a PF member dies and the money is to be transferred to the bank accounts of minor children, a Guardianship Certificate will no longer be required. This means that settling claims for minor children has become easier than before.

Aadhaar-related process simplified

Many members are still unable to link (seed/verify) their Aadhaar number with their UAN or require corrections. To address this, the EPFO ​​has simplified the joint declaration process. Members will no longer face difficulties in correcting and linking Aadhaar information.

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What is the detail

This move by EPFO is aimed at making UAN more authentic and error-free. Universal Account Number (UNM) is an important 12-digit unique identification code given to every employee nominated under the EPF scheme. Without it, EPF contributors may face problems like accessing their PF balance and submitting claims for advance withdrawal.

What are the rules

As per the new rules, new employees will have to complete the process of generating UAN through Aadhaar-based face authentication only. The existing employer-based UAN process will continue as normal except for exceptional cases like international employees and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. This means that generating UAN through employers will still be allowed in some cases, but the use of Aadhaar-based FAT is now mandatory for most employees. New employees should also note that this process has to be completed through the Umang app.

Who will be affected

The new facial recognition mandate could create problems for staffing firms that provide manpower solutions to multinational companies. In a recent submission to the EPFO, the Indian Staffing Federation (ISF) has highlighted that the revised policy could create problems for employees, as many of them do not have their mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar.

The Indian Staffing Federation (ISF), which represents over 135 contractual staffing firms employing over 18 lakh workers, has highlighted the challenges posed by these new rules. The federation also said that problems could arise due to users’ unfamiliarity with the new system and possible discrepancies in phone models and camera settings during authentication.

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Now there are plans to use it for many other purposes as well. There is news that in the coming few months, you will also be able to withdraw EPFO ​​​​money through UPI. Work is going on rapidly on this. It is expected that this system will start in the month of June. Let us also tell you what kind of planning has come out.

EPFO money will be withdrawn through UPI

Moving into the digital sector, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is preparing to launch a UPI-based claim process, which will allow EPFO ​​members to withdraw their provident fund instantly. Labor and Employment Secretary Sumita Dawra said that the move is being taken with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing transaction timing. In an interview to ANI, Dawra confirmed that the facility will go live by the end of May or June, which will be a major change in the way EPFO ​​members access their savings.

Withdrawal upto Rs 1 lakh

He said that after doing the necessary testing, we are hoping to launch the UPI frontend for EPFO ​​​​claims by the end of May. This will benefit all the members, as they will be able to view their EPFO ​​​​account directly in the UPI interface and make auto-claims. If the subscriber is eligible, the approval process will be instant, which will get the money in their account immediately. Davra told ANI that members will be able to withdraw up to Rs 1 lakh instantly through the auto system and choose their preferred bank account for transfer.

A new revolution will come in EPFO

Currently, EPFO ​​members have to go through a claim process that takes 2-3 days. After the UPI integration is launched, withdrawals are expected to be completed within a few hours or minutes. This facility is expected to revolutionise the Provident Fund process, just like UPI did for digital payments in India. Apart from faster withdrawals, EPFO ​​has also expanded the scope of use of funds.

Members can now withdraw funds for housing, education and marriage in addition to the existing illness provisions, Dawra said. To make this change possible, EPFO ​​has made a significant digital transformation. More than 120 databases have been integrated to streamline the claim process and 95 per cent of claims are already automated. The aim is to further simplify the process, reducing paperwork and delays.

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Apart from this, those who want more pension can apply till June 26. All the guidelines for getting more pension have been issued by EPF. It has been clarified in the guidelines issued by EPF that now allowance will also be included in pension. But this will be an allowance for which no proof has to be given.

What will be the allowances:

According to the new guidelines, along with basic salary, DA, HRA, retaining allowance will also be included. EPFO has issued this rule to get more pension. Those who want more pension, for this they will have to apply till 26th June. June 26 is the last date for application.

Who can choose the option of Higher Pension Scheme? All the member employees of EPFO ​​and such employees who have completed 10 years of service are eligible for the Higher Pension Scheme. Also, such employees/employers who have contributed more than Rs.5000/- or higher standard pay of Rs.6000/- will also be eligible to apply.

If you are eligible for this scheme, then you have to apply for it in the prescribed application form along with necessary documents. The last date to apply for this scheme has been extended from May 3, 2023 to June 26, 2023.

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Instructions were given to do so. In the circular issued by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on December 29, the Central Government has ordered the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions. The Regional Offices have been asked to implement the directions contained in para 44 (9) of the Supreme Court’s judgment dated November 4, 2022, within the prescribed time limit.

Along with this, the regional offices will also have to give adequate publicity to the decision taken by the EPFO.

There was an increase in the pensionable salary limit

Earlier, the Supreme Court had upheld the Employees Pension (Amendment) Scheme 2014 in its decision. The EPS revision (August 2014) raised the pensionable salary limit from Rs 6,500 per month to Rs 15,000 per month. In addition, members were allowed to contribute 8.33 per cent of their actual salary (if it exceeds the limit) to the EPS along with their employers.

In this, all EPS members were given 6 months to opt for the revised scheme. In its order, the apex court had given 4 months more time to the eligible subscribers to opt for higher pension option under EPS-95.

When can the money deposited in PF account be withdrawn?

After retirement, you can withdraw the money deposited in your PF account anytime. Apart from this, you can withdraw the entire amount of your EPF even after 2 months of leaving the job. If you have lost your job and you are unemployed for 2 months, then even in such circumstances you can withdraw the entire amount of PF.

However, if you want to make partial withdrawal of PF while working, then you have to follow some rules. Money deposited in PF account is received within 3 to 7 days (Working Days) of the application.

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