the goan I network
PANAJI
Only around one-fourth of the total registered organisations registered with the Regional Employees Provident Fund Organization are contributing regularly, Ashwini Kumar Gupta, the newly appointed Provident Fund Commissioner for Goa Region informed.
According to figures he released, there are a total of 5100 establishments registered with the regional provident fund office and 16.85 lakh accounts as on May 31 this year.
However, the total number of establishments that are contributing in the name of their employers is around 2600 or roughly half of the total registered establishments.
“Out of the 2600 establishments, approximately 1,000 are not contributing regularly. Further, those who are contributing, there is also 50% evasion as per the analysis of the complying establishments,” Gupta told journalists.
He said he would, over the course of the three years of his tenure here, focus his effort on reducing this 50% gap to ensure 100% compliance.
“This office is planning to conduct regular survey and inspections to check evasion. We will be requesting government departments to ensure 100% compliance as per the mandate was given. There are many establishments who are in the habit of delaying in depositing the PF funds. We will be issuing notices for default and interest in respect of nearly 1500 establishments within a month,” Gupta added.
He said that among the defaulters were several government, semi-government and autonomous bodies including municipal councils which would also be acted against if they do not comply.
“We have the same powers as the Income Tax Department, to recover dues, seize property and arrest persons if they fail to comply. Out of the 11 municipal councils in the state around 5-6 are not complying,” Gupta said.
