JKPSA delegation calls on Regional PF Comm EPFO, highlights issues

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: A delegation of executive members of J&K Private Schools Association (JKPSA) called on Prasant K, Regional Provident Fund (PF) Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt of India, Saturday.
While speaking during the meeting, the General Secretary of Association, Ajay Gupta briefed Regional Provident Fund Commissioner regarding various issues faced by the private schools. “Due to closure of schools at the beginning of the academic session, enrollment of most of private schools has declined. There is severe financial deficit in all big and small private schools due to improper cash flow. Now worrisome situation has erupted for employers due to repeated threats through Short Message Service (SMS) by JKEPFO of erstwhile J&K State regarding updating of missing PF contribution upto October 2019 within 7 days and simultaneously EPFO of Govt. of India regarding prosecution of employers under Section 406/409 of IPC in absence of belated remittance of employees’ contribution by employers,” he asserted.
The members demanded empathy from concerned departments till schools are closed because most of private schools owners, who are solely dependent on this venture, are facing a threat of economic collapse which may lead them to hunger and starvation.
President of Association, Kamal Gupta urged that keeping pandemic situation in consideration, the share of Provident Fund (PF) contributions should be paid by Govt till schools are closed or upto sanction of economic package which government has decided to pay for revival of private educational institutions.
Others present in the deputation included Ajay Singh, Ram Prakash Sharma, Jatinder Heera and Laddi Sharma.