EPFO extends deadline for filing of PF return with Aadhaar seeded UANs till September, 2021
EPFO extends deadline for filing of PF return with Aadhaar seeded UANs till September, 2021
Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)vide circular No. WSU/15(1)2019/ATR/529 dated 15th June, 2021 extended the last date to seed the Aadhaar number with the universal account number (UAN) for filing electronic challan-cum-returns till September 1, 2021. The revised date will now be Sept 1, 2021 instead of June 1, 2021.
♦ Key Highlights:
- The EPFO had decided to make Aadhaar seeding compulsory after a labour ministry notification in this regard.
- A notification was issued by the labour ministry on May 3, 2021, which mandated the ministry and bodies working under it to seek Aadhaar number from the beneficiaries under the Social Security Code.
- Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been brought into force, with effect from 03.05.2021.
- Section 142 of Social Security Code provides for establishing the identity of an employee or an unorganized worker or any other person through Aadhaar number for seeking benefits and availing services under the Code.
- This will give more time to employers to link their employees Aadhaar number with PF accounts or UAN.
- According to the Authority, electronic challan-cum-returns (ECR) will be allowed to be filed only for those members whose Aadhaar numbers are seeded and verified with the UANs with effect from June 1, 2021.
- It is mandatory to seed the Aadhaar number with the UAN while filing ECRs.
- UAN: The UAN (universal account number) is basically a 12-digit account number allotted by the Employee Provident Fund Organisation to every employee where the EPF deposits are being made.
- Purpose of UAN: The UAN makes the process of operating PF account services such as availing withdrawal, PF loans, or checking the EPF balance easier and convenient for the account holders.
EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Head Office
Bhavishva Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
Website: www.epfindia.gov.in, www.epfindia.nic.in
No: WSU/15(1)2019/ATR/529
Date: 15.06.2021
To,
All Addl. CPFCs (HQ), Addl. CPFCs, Zonal Offices
All RPFCs / OICs, Regional Offices
Sub: Mandatory seeding of Aadhar Number for filing of ECR-Reg.
Ref: HO Circular No. BKG-27/7/2020-G/Pt.file dated 01.06.2021
Madam / Sir,
In partial modification of the Circular under Reference, it is informed that the dates in Para 3 and 4 (of the referred Circular) mentioned as 01.06.2021 may be read as 01.09.2021.
2. All other contents of the referred Circular remain unchanged.
3. Further, all the employers may be advised by concerned field offices to be ready for implementation after the period of deferment.
(This issues with the approval of competent authority.)
Yours faithfully,
End: As above.
(Vishal garwal)
Regional P.F. Commissioner-I (WSU)
Copy to:
Addl. CPFC (IS) / RPFC – I (IS) for information and necessary action please.
(Vishal Agarwal)
Regional P.F. Commissioner-I (WSU)
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EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Head Office
Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
Website: www.epfindia.gov.in, www.epfindia.nic.in
No: BKG-27/7/2020-G/Pt.file
Date: 01.06.2021
To
All Addl. CPFCs(HQ)/ACC (Zones)
Subject: Mandatory seeding of Aadhaar Number for filing of ECR- Reg. Madam/Sir,
Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been brought into three, with effect from 03.05.2021, vide gazette notification No.1730(E) dated 30.04.2021.
2. The section 142 of Chapter XIV of the Social Security Code, includes the provisions related to Aadhaar, wherein the beneficiary under this Code or rules, regulations or Schemes made or framed there under, shall establish his identity or, as the case may be, the identity of his family members or dependents through Aadhaar number.
3. In compliance of the above provision in EPFO, the Competent Authority has approved that the ECR shall be allowed to be filed only for those members, whose Aadhaar numbers are seeded and verified with the UANs, w.e.f. 01.06.2021.
4. Accordingly, the employers shall be allowed to file the ECR only for the UANs seeded with Aadhaar, w.e.f 01.06.2021.To ensure that the members and the employers are not adversely affected in the transition phase, the following steps and measures may be undertaken by the field offices under your jurisdiction. A zone wise pendency position is attached as an annexure, as a ready reference.
a. All the employers need to be made aware of the mandatory filing of ECR with Aadhar validated UANs. Therefore, wide publicity may be ensured in this regard.
b. The ROs may conduct virtual conferences and also make use of the Social Media handles to reach out to maximum number of employers and subscribers.
c. A Nodal officer may be appointed, for coordination of these efforts and to facilitate the resolution of any issues being faced by the employers and members in this regard.
d. Daily progress may be obtained from the field offices, to ensure close monitoring.
Accordingly, the Zonal Offices are requested to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions.
(Issued with approval of Competent Authority)
Yours faithfully,
-sd-
(Rajiv Bisht)
ACC (F&A)
*****