President Dr. A.P.J
Abdul Kalam reiterated the government's commitment that social
security to the organized and unorganized workforce will continue
to be the governments priority even in the era of liberalization.
The President also recalled that the Prime Minister in his Independence
Day address last year, has called upon the people to strive
towards the goal of transforming India into a developed nation
by 2020. He said in order to realize this objective 260 million
people of India should be lifted up. He congratulated the Employees
Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to introduce a novel programme
to reduce claims settlement time from 30 days to 2-3 days. He
also hoped that we should also work towards giving social security
to the unorganized sector also. President was inaugurating the
Golden Jubilee function of EPFO today.
The Labour
Minister Dr. Sahib Singh in his address thanked the representatives
of trade unions, employers and workers for their cooperation
in formulating and steering the biggest scheme of the world
to provide quick and effective social security schemes to the
30 million plus Provident Fund Members. EPFO is currently running
PF scheme, Pension scheme and Deposit-linked Insurance Scheme.
He further said we are, for the present, are providing social
security to 3.5 crore workers in the organised sector and we
are fully committed to provide the same to 37 crore workers
in the unorganized sector. He also informed that a Bill to this
effect will be introduced in the Budget Session of Parliament.
He also underlined the effort of the Ministry to provide housing
scheme to the PF subscribers which has
added new dimension to provide social security to the poor workers.
He also said that Employees State Insurance Corporation under
the Ministry is also providing the comprehensive health benefits
to the workers in the organized sector. And now, with the able
help of the trustees of the EPFO the Ministry is able to launch
a social security number scheme to the PF subscribers to settle
their claims in 2-3 days. He said that under this scheme permanent
social security number will be allotted to a worker which will
remain constant irrespective of the transfer of the worker from
one place to another or change in employment. This modernization
scheme called 'business process re-engineering' will
have the objective to build a centralized clean and valid data
base which will be multi-functional i.e it will enable quick
transfer of money into workers account, will help the settlement
of various claims under EPF Act and for other benefits. He said
we are committed to eradication of poverty and we will see that
this scar on the forehead of India is removed and workers join
the mainstream of the Nation.
On the occasion
of golden jubilee celebrations of employees provident fund organisation
a grand function was organised in Vigyan Bhawan. The President
opened the function by lighting the lamp. The President also
released the special cover on the occasion of golden jubilee
celebrations. A souvenir was also released by the President.
During the function eight-minute film on EPFO was also shown
to the august gathering . Shri S. Thirunavukkarasar, Minister
of State for Communication was guest of honour. The two members
of the EPFO viz. Shri Ram Narain and Ms. Preeti Kubba were also
handed over the social security number cards by Dr. Sahib Singh.
The Labour Minister Dr. Sahib Singh also presented a memento
to the President. Minister of State for Labour and Employment
Shri Vijay Goel delivered the welcome address and Secretary
Ministry of Labour Dr. P.D Shenoy gave vote of thanks.
On this historic
occasion Union Ministers, Ministers from State Governments,
Members of Parliament, Secretaries to the government of India
and leaders of the Employees Organisation, Employer's Organisation,
Workers' Organisations and leaders from industries were also
present.
