The Employees Provident
Fund Organisation (EPFO) has brought 52,830 new establishments
under its coverage during the last three years. About 43 lakh
new members were enrolled taking the total number of new members
at gross level to more than 98 lakh. This was stated by the Labour
Minister Dr. Sahib Singh while presiding over the 159th
Meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, Employees Provident
Fund here today. He said that 41,821 establishments already under
coverage but not responding were brought within the compliance
fold. The Labour Minister said that the commitment and zeal shown
by the EPFO since 1999 has made it possible to account for the
first time the contribution of more than 36 lakh members since
their joining the scheme. He said that Rs.2281.83 core were recovered
as arrears during the last three years as compared to Rs.728 crore
recovered since 1990-91 to 1998-99.
Presenting the
Annual Report of the EPFO for 2001-02 for adoption at the meeting,
Dr. Sahib Singh said that there has been 5.22 per cent growth
in coverage of establishments during the financial year. He said
the receipt of contribution increased by 5.69 per cent . 83.76%
claims were settled within 30 days. He said that all these achievements
were made possible despite negative growth of 1.26% in the manpower
strength. Dr. Sahib Singh said that registration of members with
Social Security Number (SSN) has already started and it is expected
that the first Social Security Card would be issued by the end
of this year. He said that the EPFO has accepted the principles
of zero budgeting and has brought strict financial discipline
in the administration of the EPFO Act and Schemes. The Labour
Minister said that the corpus of the EPF as on 31st
March 2002 was Rs.1,39,067.72 crore with a membership of 332.8
lakh from 3,45,431 establishments.
