As per the investment pattern prescribed in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 1952 and the investment guidelines, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is allowed to invest in fixed income securities, which have to be held till maturity.
Stating this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, the Labour & Employment Minister Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that the EPFO is not allowed to indulge in selling of securities. As such, the question of making profits on investments does not arise.
In reply to another question Shri Rao said that the matter regarding the
payment of interest at the rate of 9.5% to EPF subscribers during 2004-05 is being examined by the EPFO. He said .the break-up of investments of the EPFO in different securities as on 31-12-2004 is as follows:
| Category | Amount (Rs. in crores) |
| Central Government Securities | 19,327.28 |
| State Govt./ Govt. Guaranteed Securities | 14,071.73 |
| Special Deposit Scheme of Central Govt. | 53,449.95 |
| Public Financial Institutions | 21,961.18 |
| Public Account | 26,559.94 |
| Total | 135,379.08 |
Total revenue (in crores) generated from investment during last three years is as follows:
| Year | EPF | Pension Fund | EDLI Fund |
| 2001-02 | 5,673.42 | 2.060.68 | 49.57 |
| 2002-03 | 5,859.65 | 2,419.73 | 64.47 |
| 2003-04 | 5,947.61 | 2,810.16 | 77.31 |
MLD / Labour 146 (LS-EPF) March 3