The ministry has also asked EPFO to clarify the process for submission of joint option for those retiring after September 1, 2014 and members of the existing Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS).
Labor Ministry to EPFO: The Supreme Court’s deadline of March 4 to present the joint option of the employee and the employer to claim more pension is expiring, the Union Ministry of Labor (Labour Ministry) has issued a notice to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). By sending a letter, it has been asked to complete it soon. So that those who want to claim more pension on the basis of higher salary, they can avail the benefit of this option. The ministry has also asked EPFO to clarify the process for submission of joint option for those retiring after September 1, 2014 and members of the existing Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS).
According to a report in The Hindu, the letter was sent by the Ministry of Labor last week. According to the official, we expect EPFO to issue a circular with procedures in this week. The ministry has also asked the EPFO to be clear about the process for existing EPS subscribers retiring before and after September 1, 2014.
The opposition had raised the currency in the Parliament
Even during the budget session of the Parliament, the issue of delay in issuing the circular was raised in both the Houses. CPI(M) MP John Brittas had recently written to Union Labor Minister Bhupendra Yadav, requesting his intervention to expedite the process. Opposition MPs questioned EPFO’s notice to several pensioners who retired before September 1, 2014, that their pension would be stopped if they did not submit details of their joint options submitted to EPFO.
Change orders were given
In a recent circular of EPFO, its regional offices were asked to revise the pension entitlement and recover the amount if any one has received pension without exercising any option under paragraph 11(3) of the EPS. The official said that the new circular will address all the issues related to the Supreme Court order.
