G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 25: Contrary to the claims of the Union Labour Ministry that employers get PF code within hours by applying online, its own organization, JKEPFO has denied PF code to employers who had applied offline for the same and their files are gathering dust in the cupboards for last four years.
Source in organization said that nearly 200 employers have applied voluntarily to get Provident Fund Code (PF code) in Jammu Kashmir Employees Provident Funds Organization, Regional office Jammu (JKEPFO) , but owing to either indifferent attitude of officials or slow pace of the process, employers, have been depriving thousands of the employees to get benefits of the provident funds, engaged in different establishments since long time.
An employee, deputed at JKEPFO, Jammu said that though the government had claimed that the employers would no longer have to chase officials and files to get PF code with the organization, if they apply online, but those who have already submitted their files offline, were eagerly waiting to get the PF code'', said employees .
An employer of Katu Satya Vidyalaya, Kotli Mian Fateh who applied for the PF code in November, 2015 when the Director School Education asked him to produce 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the Provident Office, has been chasing the officials of the organization since then, but in vain.
"We are offering primary education and have engaged less than 10 teachers in the School. In spite of this, we have voluntarily applied for Provident funds facilities, so that my employees get the benefits of the schemes offered by the Labour Ministry but unfortunately, still they have failed to allot the PF code", said owner of Katu Satya Vidyalaya.
It may sound strange but true, the contractors who participated in the tender bid, got PF code the same day but the small employers, owner of the schools have repeatedly been visiting for the same purpose, but fail to get PF code, said an employer.
"Owing to non accessibility of PF code, the state exchequer was suffering huge lose and on other hand, the employees engaged in different establishment have been depriving benefits of the schemes, offered by the government for the welfare of the employees", said an employee, deputed at JKEPFO, Jammu office.
Additional Provident Funds Commissioner, Atam Dev Singh said and admitted that shortage of manpower had been affecting the functioning of the office but assured to sort-out the discrepancies and expedite the process. |
