IMPHAL, June 18: A statement of the Regional Provident Fund, Commissioner II has said that Dr A Mahendra Raju, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner (Kolkata Zone) who is in charge of West Bengal, Sikim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand and all North Eastern States visited Imphal to discuss to different stakeholders like employers, employees, trade unions and State Government Officials on providing Social Security Benefits under the Employees Provident Fund And Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952 to the employees in Manipur.
It said a discussion was held at the Classic Hotel Imphal on June 14 participated by around 42 representatives from the employers and employees.
“During the discussion, Dr Raju stressed the need for providing social security benefits to all employees. He informed the participants that bringing one employees under the ambit of the Act goes beyond deduction of P.F. Contributions and depositing it; it actually bring security to the wife/husband, children and dependent parents. The security given by the Act is unparalleled. If an employee is made a member of Provident Fund and expires after working for a few days his/her wife/husband, children or Dependent Parent (if there is no wife/children) is assured of Pension”, it said.
“Further Eligible wife/husband/dependent parent will get lifelong pension, he said and further informed that it is necessary to ensure forced saving provided under the Act for every employee so as to provide security in their old age”, it said.
Dr Raju also met the Chief Secretary and the Secretary cum labour Commissioner, Government of Manipur on June 17 to discuss the extension of Social Security benefits to the employees of 1) District Rural Development Agency 2) Manipur Rural Road Development Corporation 3) Manipur Tribal Development Corporation and 3) Teachers under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. He also discussed opening of a Sub Regional Office at Imphal to cater to the need for immediate redressal of grievances and also to bring more employees under the Social Security net. The Chief Secretary and the Secretary cum Labour Commissioner, Government of Manipur assured that concrete action shall be taken to bring the employees of the State Undertakings under the ambit of the Act and also agreed to examine the issue of opening a Sub Regional office at Imphal for taking it up with the Central Government”, it said.
“Dr Raju also requested the Chief Secretary for formation of a Regional Committee with the Secretary cum Labour Commissioner, Government of Manipur as Chairman, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, North East as Secretary and representatives of State Government, Trade Unions and Employers as members. This committee will discuss policy issues for effective compliance and service delivery of EPF Act and Scheme provisions”, it said.