EPFO Regional Office Begins Full-Fledged Operations in Kashmir Post Article 370 Abrogation

Srinagar ,09 August: The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has commenced full-fledged operations in Kashmir for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370, which led to the application of various Central Acts to the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This significant change included the replacement of the J&K EPF & MP Act, 1961, with the EPF & MP Act, 1952, bringing the region under the purview of national labor laws.

The Regional Office in Kashmir, located in Batamaloo, Srinagar, is now fully operational under the leadership of Shri Vinay Kumar, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II and Officer-in-Charge (OIC). This office will oversee the implementation of EPFO services across ten districts in the Kashmir Division.

The EPFO is one of the largest social security organizations globally, providing social security coverage and retirement benefits to employees working in various establishments. The organization manages three key schemes: the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI).

Under the EPF scheme, employees contribute 12% of their basic wages, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance, if any, towards their provident fund, with an equal contribution made by their employer. The total amount is credited to the employee’s Universal Account Number (UAN) and earns an annual compound interest at the current rate of 8.25%. The EPS provides a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month after retirement or in the event of the subscriber’s death. Additionally, the EDLI scheme offers an insurance benefit ranging from Rs 2.5 lakhs to a maximum of Rs 7 lakhs to the nominee of a deceased employee who had rendered more than one year of continuous service.

To enhance service delivery, the EPFO is conducting the “Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0” program on the 27th of every month in various districts of the Kashmir valley. This initiative focuses on providing on-the-spot services, including e-nomination filing, Aadhaar seeding, updating bank accounts, PAN, and mobile numbers, as well as facilitating online claim submissions and Digital Life Certificate (DLC) submissions for pensioners.

Employers and their sub-contractors are advised to comply with the provisions of the EPF & MP Act, 1952, ensuring that all workers and employees are covered under the scheme.

For any issues or queries related to EPF benefits or coverage, individuals can visit the Regional Office during working hours, Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The office is situated behind the Old General Bus Stand in Batamaloo, Srinagar. Queries can also be raised via WhatsApp at 7780813099.

This development marks a significant step in extending the benefits of national social security schemes to the employees of Jammu & Kashmir, aligning the region with the broader framework of labor rights and welfare across India.