Unclear stand of EPFO

PF pensioners won their demand for higher pensions as per higher salary scale after years of litigation. From the beginning, EPFO ​​had taken the stand that this demand cannot be accepted. PF was started to ensure the welfare and financial security of the employees. However, the Union Ministry of Labour and EPFO ​​had been taking an anti-employee approach in granting higher pensions until the Supreme Court issued an order to grant higher pensions. The ambiguities in this regard persist even after the order.

The deadline to opt for higher pensions for those who have retired after 2014 and are still in service has now been extended. However, it is also alleged that the application form to submit the joint option is not available on the website. The Supreme Court verdict on November 4 stated that those who are eligible should submit the option within four months. Although this deadline ended on March 3, EPFO ​​published the link to submit the option online much later. That is why the deadline has been extended till May 3.

Pensioners even suspect that EPFO ​​is preparing a situation to deny many people the pension they deserve by making the submission of options complicated. Similarly, there is ambiguity as to whether PF members, who have been receiving higher pensions, should submit the option once again to continue receiving higher pensions. The concerned officers in charge of the regional centres of EPFO ​​are unable to provide clear answers to many queries and doubts of the pensioners. Despite receiving a favourable verdict from the Supreme Court, the pensioners are in a situation where they have to stage sit-in protests and demonstrations to get what they deserve. In the meantime, a petition has been filed in the High Court seeking to remove some of the unusual provisions of EPFO.

In his order dated February 20, the PF Commissioner stated that the pensioner should produce proof of submitting the option to pay a higher PF contribution as per clause 26 (6) of the EPF Scheme while submitting the option for a higher PF pension online. No one has ever received such a document. The petitioners are pointing out that this condition will prevent them from submitting the option in a timely manner. The EPFO ​​should take action to provide higher pensions to the deserving without putting forward new conditions that will torment the pensioners.