Meeting with Add, Central P.F.

Commissioner, EPFO HQ Delhi:

Shri. V. K. Tomar, SG NCOA & GS MTNL EA, Shri. M. S. Adasul,
GS SNEA BSNL CHQ and Shri. Deepak Sharma, OS SNEA BSNL
NTR Delhi had a meeting with Shri Animesh Mishra Add,
Central P.F. Commissioner EPFO Head Quarters Delhi on
10/02/2023, at 1500 Hrs and discussed the most burning issue
of Members of EPF mainly with respect to the Higher Pension
Option and its compliance by EPFO. We conveyed thanks for
action by EPFO about issuing clarification and guidelines for
retired members of EPF and updated that all PSUs are complying
with these orders and hopefully all issues will be sorted out.
We further apprised him about the unrest among the EPF
Members due to uncertainty and delay in issuing the instructions
from EPFO about Higher Pension Option for Post 2014 Retirees/
Serving Executives and Non-executives of PSUs. We updated that
daily different news is being spread on social media about it but
the required circular is issued by EPFO for Post 2014
Retirees/Serving Executives/Non Executives and this is the matter
of concern for all.
We elaborated that since the decision given by Hon. Supreme
Court on 04/11/2022 to submit the Higher Pension joint options
by Employer and Employees, everybody is waiting for formal orders
from EPFO but the same is not issued. As the last date for
submission of higher option i. e. 03/03/2023 is approaching near,
the unrest among EPF members is increasing. We added that PSUs
have taken advance action about getting options from the willing
employees and are getting ready to respond immediately to the
instructions by EPFO. We earnestly requested for early action on
part of EPFO in issuing guidelines for Post 2014 Retirees/ Serving
employees also.
Shri. Animesh Mishra ji Add, Central P.F. Commissioner Delhi
appreciated the concern expressed by us and agreed that there is
delay in issuing guidelines by EPFO for Post 2014 Retirees/
serving EPF members. He narrated that his office is seriously
working for compliance on the Hon. Supreme Court directions and
in the first phase the guidelines for retired employees are issued.
He added that there were certain issues in issuing guidelines
related to Post 2014 Retirees/Serving employees and after a
thought process over the months period, EPFO has come to certain
conclusions. Accordingly, the proposal is moved by EPFO and a
high level meeting is scheduled today itself at the Ministry of
Labour.
He expressed that his office is aware about high expectations by
all EPF Members, but chances of meeting such high expectations
is a difficult task. He expressed that one has to understand the
entire work of EPF is managed through a fund and it has no
separate income other than the contribution by the members and
income from investment of this contribution.
He added that EPFO has a different working approach and all the
expenses are maintained in different accounts. The administrative
expenditure of EPFO is not booked in the EPF account. The
contribution made by members is utilised only in settlement of
claims by the EPF members. But there are issues in settlement of
claims due to fact the that over the period the contribution was
less but the amount claimed under settlement was more and hence
EPFO is facing hardship in issuing directions in compliance of
Hon. Supreme Court. But he added that after taking into
consideration all aspects, his office is trying to comply with
directions by Hon. Supreme Court and today’s high level meeting
is scheduled for the final decision only.
On our specific query, when the guidelines will be issued, he
responded that he is optimistic that by the coming week EPFO will
issue guidelines for Post 2014 Retirees/Serving employees also. He
requested us to make a special appeal to the EPF Post 2014
Retirees/Serving members to have patience and be assured that
guidelines will be surely issued.
By understanding concern expressed by us on nearing last date
for submission of joint options as per court directions, he
responded that his office is aware about it and EPFO is working
out on getting approval of administrative Ministry or from
Honourable Supreme Court and hopeful for extension of last date
suitably so that every EPF Member submits the option in time.
We also narrated that some members who will be opting for Higher
Pension may have rethinking at later stage on issuance of
guidelines and need the option for withdrawal of options given, he
assured to look into this and make it possible as EPFO will not
have any issue in it. Our meeting lasted for more than half hour
and concluded with thanks to each other and hopes for early
guidelines by EPFO HQ so as to clear ongoing uncertainty and
giving relief to all EPF members.