IMPHAL, January 31: A one-day workshop on ‘Provision under Employment Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 was conducted today at the Hotel Classic, Imphal, organised by the Employees` Provident Fund Organisation .
The workshop was conducted by SK Sangma, commissioner-I, in charge of North East Region and Khundrakpam Rupeshor Singh, commissioner-II of provident fund.
A pension payment order was also handed over as part of the workshop to Kunjakishore Golmei, whose wife late Rohini Golmei of Areca School expired just one year after being enrolled under the Act.
SK Sangma informed that it is mandatory for both the employers and the employees of the private sector to enroll under the Act.
In case of failure, both the employer and the employee are punishable with imprisonment of one year or fine or both, she said.
She further elaborated that employers cannot reduce the wages of the employees just to avoid paying the actual percentage of the employee’s wage.
The Act entails the employee’s to contribute 12% of their wage and a matching share of 12% and other charges to be bore by the employer, she said.
Out of these 12% contributed by the employer 8.33% is diverted to the pension fund, she said before continuing that subject to a minimum of ten years of service which can be accumulated even if the employee shifts his/her work place, the employee is entitled for superannuation pension after attaining 58 years of age.
SK Sangma also distributed the account statement of the employees of M/S HVS Construction, M/S Makoi Langjing Ching Mamang Brick Field and the employees of the contractors of M/S NHPC, Loktak Project during today’s program.
During the workshop, Kh Rupeshor Singh, commissioner-II also showed a power point presentation of the EPF organisation and its advantages to the employees as well as employers present.
He further said that the benefits entailed to an employee who have enrolled with under the Act has been provided in the website www.epfindia.gov.in, and the employee can access their EPF balance, get e-pass book and also get their claim status through the link.