EPFO Contribution Keeping in mind the interest of EPF members, the Kerala High Court gave a major order to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on Thursday.
The court asked EPFO to make such a provision in its portal that employees and pensioners are allowed to opt for higher contribution without giving proof of prior consent.
Justice Ziyad Rehman AA gave interim order to EPFO
Justice Ziyad Rehman AA gave this interim order while hearing the petition of employees and pensioners on Wednesday. The petition claimed that while opting for higher contribution, a copy of prior consent has to be given, which is mandatory under the EPF Scheme, 1952. The petitioners argued that the EPFO never insisted on giving such permission and was accepting higher contributions.
The Supreme Court had fixed May 3 as the last date
They said that they are not able to fill that column in the online form because of this rule and they are not able to submit it without proof of prior consent. If they do not do this before the last date of May 3, then they will not be able to avail the benefits of the scheme. Let us inform that the Supreme Court has given time till May 3 to choose the option of higher contribution.
EPFO gave this argument in its argument
EPFO opposed the plea, arguing that prior consent is a “vital requirement” to avail the benefit. After hearing everyone’s arguments, the High Court said that the petitioners should get interim relief. The court said that if the portal cannot be changed then other options like submission of offline applications should be made available. It said that these facilities should be made available to all employees and pensioners within 10 days from the date of the High Court order of April 12.
