(a) the number of beedi workers enjoying the benefit of the Employees Provident Fund
(EPF) scheme in the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of the mechanism in place to ensure that the benefits under the labour
laws reach the beneficiaries;
(c) whether the Government has taken cognisance of certain cases of alleged harassment /
exploitation of the beedi workers by the officials of the EPF office in this regard; and
(d) if so , the steps taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a)to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION
No.179 FOR 26.03.2012 REGARDING ‘EPS SCHEME FOR BEEDI WORKERS’ BY SHRI WAKCHAURE BHAUSAHEB
RAJARAM.
(a): The number of beedi workers enjoying the benefit of Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
Scheme in the country, State-wise, is annexed.
(b): The mechanism to ensure that benefits under labour laws reach the beneficiaries,
inter-alia, include:
# The field offices of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) conduct regular
inspection of the establishments through Area Enforcement Officers, who report the default,
if any, committed by an establishment.
# On detection of default, action for assessment of dues and thereafter recovery actions
are initiated as per law to ensure full compliance.
# Computerised accounting system has been adopted for crediting contribution received in
respect of all the members on annual basis.
# Whenever the claim is received from the claimant, the same is processed for release of
entitled benefits.
(c) & (d): Allegations/complaints pertaining to irregularities against the officials
of the EPFO are duly investigated and action is taken against erring officials under EPF (Staff) CCA Rules 1971. Further, to ensure that inspections are carried out strictly as per
law and well defined parameters, a detailed circular has been issued to all the field offices.