EPFO expands its reach in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 09: In a significant development for the workforce in Jammu and Kashmir, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has established its first full-fledged regional office in Kashmir. This move comes in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370 and the application of various Central Acts to the newly formed Union Territory.

Headed by Vinay Kumar, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II/OIC, the new office will oversee operations across ten districts in the Kashmir Division. This expansion marks a crucial step in extending social security coverage and retirement benefits to employees in the region.

The EPFO, one of the world's largest social security organizations, will administer three key schemes: EPF, EPS, and EDLI. Under these schemes, employees and employers each contribute 12% of the basic wages towards the provident fund, which currently earns an annual compound interest of 8.25%. The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) guarantees a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000, while the EDLI scheme offers insurance benefits ranging from Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 7 lakhs.

To enhance accessibility, the EPFO is conducting "Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0" programs on the 27th of every month across different districts in Kashmir. These initiatives aim to provide on-the-spot services such as e-nomination filing, KYC updates, and claim submissions.

The new office, located in Batamaloo, Srinagar, operates Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. For inquiries and assistance, a WhatsApp helpline (7780813099) has been set up, ensuring that the benefits of provident fund and allied services are within easy reach of Kashmir's workforce.

This development is expected to significantly bolster social security measures in the region, aligning Kashmir with the national framework of employee benefits and protections.