EPFO directs its field staff to settle death claims in 7 days

Retirement fund body EPFO has asked its over 120 field offices to settle death claims within 7 days and retirement PF claims on the day of superannuation.

“The Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the PRAGATI review meeting held on October 26 (2016) desired that claims related to death cases be prioritised and expedited and retirement claims may be settled on the day of retirement,” Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation said in a statement.

In accordance, it added, the processes have been reviewed and instructions issued to field offices to settle death claims within 7 days from the date of receipt of proposal, and retirement claims on the day of retirement.

EPFO has instructed its Public Relation Officers and officials in the facilitation centres of field offices to scrutinise the claims and guide claimants regarding submission of required documents in appropriate shape. An official has been posted in the facilitation centres of EPFO for this category of claims, it said.

Besides, it stated that employers are now increasingly using Internet banking to deposit statutory EPF dues since EPFO made it mandatory to use Internet banking as the mode of receipt dues.

About 96 per cent contributions in October 2016 were received online. EPFO said that in an important judgement Madras High Court dismissed the petition of Builders Association of India, Madurai, praying non enforcement of EPF & MP Act, 1952 in respect of temporary and casual workers.