Pilot EPF projects for auto-drivers, rickshawallahs in Delhi, Hyderabad

New Delhi, May 9: Pilot projects for introducing Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) benefits for auto-rickshaw drivers and rickshaw pullers will be launched soon in New Delhi and Hyderabad, parliament was told on Monday. “Pilot projects for introducing EPF benefits are being launched in New Delhi and Hyderabad for auto-rickshaw drivers and rickshaw pullers,” Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told the Lok Sabha in Question Hour, while asserting that the government is also sincere to help employees of the unorganised sector with EPF benefits. He said priority is being given to construction workers, who would be given necessary universal account number (UAN) to help them avail the benefits. Similar benefits would be given to anganwadi, mid-day meal scheme and Aasha workers, the minister said. He also said Online Transfer Claim Portal has also been introduced. The minister asserted that the government is sincere about upholding all rules related to the Employees’ Provident Fund organisation (EPFO) and maintained that prosecution would be initiated against those violating EPFO norms. Employees whose Aadhaar or Permanent Account Number (PAN) have been seeded in their UAN can submit claim forms directly to the EPFO authorities, he said. Answering supplementaries, the minister said about Rs.43,000 crore is lying in inoperative Employees’ Provident Fund accounts. He further said that in 2015-16, 118.66 lakh claims were settled by the EPFO while the numbers stood at 130.21 lakh during 2014-15. (IANS)