Concerns regarding PF pension

Last November, the Supreme Court ordered that a higher pension in proportion to the salary should be paid, but the ambiguities in this regard are still not resolved. Doubts also remain as to whether those who have opted for a higher pension will get a higher amount. There has been a negative approach from the EPFO side in this regard since the beginning. EPFO is researching how to avoid as many people as possible by coming up with many impossible options.

The Supreme Court allowed four months to give the higher pension option, but EPFO did not do anything for three and a half months. Finally, a circular was issued on February 20, making the option available. Then there were only 12 days left for the said four months to end. Due to strong criticism, the time was extended by two months till May 3. However, many concerns remain. One of them was the requirement to produce a copy of the option to pay higher PF contribution. In a petition filed against this in the High Court, the court ordered that the higher option be allowed without the need of producing a copy. Justice AA Ziyad Rehman's order to change the online platform for this and if not possible to accept the higher pension option in paper form is a relief to many. The petition was filed by the retired BSNL employees challenging the requirement to produce proof of option to pay higher PF contribution under clause 26(6) of the EPFO scheme to grant higher pension option. It has been said in the order that facilities for this should be arranged within ten days. Taking into account that the time expires on May 3, the single bench recommended urgent action. The order was based on the petitioners' conviction that many employees had paid the higher amount without giving them the option to pay the higher PF contribution. These are the problems that EPFO could have resolved without taking the pensioners to court again. But not only are they not ready for it, but after the Supreme Court judgment, they are trying to avoid as many people as possible from paying the high pension by creating more complications.

There is also concern about having to produce papers from the companies where they worked. It isn't possible if the company was shut down after 2014. By looking at the employee's PF number, EPFO itself can decide whether the person is eligible for a higher pension. Most people will be ready to pay more money if they are informed. It is just a matter of two questions-whether they are opting for higher pension and if they are ready to contribute more money. It is not right to complicate a problem that should be solved so simply.