EPF Pension: Big news for pensioners. The Bombay High Court recently ruled that employees cannot be denied their EPF-linked pension just because their employer did not keep the required records. This ruling came from the case of Kiran Rajaram Jadhav vs. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
The court emphasized that the duty to maintain statutory PF documents, like Form 6A, lies entirely with the employer. Employees do not have control over or access to these records. The court reversed the previous decision to deny a pension claim solely due to the absence of employer records and mandated a fresh review of the case. It highlighted that authorities should not depend on a single document but should evaluate all available evidence, including Form 3A, EPF account statements, contribution records, joint option applications, and confirmations from employers.
Furthermore, the ruling indicated that social security laws should not be interpreted too strictly, as this could undermine employees’ rights. Experts believe this decision offers relief to employees, clarifying that they cannot be held accountable for administrative mistakes. As a result of this ruling, claims can now be assessed using alternative documents when the necessary forms are missing. Previously denied cases can also be contested.
This ruling signifies a shift in the EPFO’s approach, which will now involve a comprehensive review of all records instead of relying on a single document and seeking clarification from the employer when needed. Additionally, it advises employers to revisit their old PF records and keep documents related to salaries and contributions.
Meanwhile The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made a major change for its crores of account holders under ‘EPFO 3.0’. With this, withdrawing PF money has become easier and faster than ever before. According to the new update, you will no longer have to wait for weeks to withdraw the amount deposited in PF. With the help of new technology, eligible employees will now be able to withdraw money directly from their PF account in case of emergency through ATM card or UPI.
The primary purpose of this facility is to provide immediate financial assistance to employees in times of unexpected need, such as illness, marriage, or children’s education. Previously, withdrawals from PF funds took 7 to 15 days even after filing an online claim form. However, now the EPFO has integrated this facility with digital banking, making the process real-time. Let’s explore how this new facility works, its requirements, and the maximum amount you can withdraw at one time.