Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 238th meeting of Central Board of Trustees (CBT), EPF
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 238th meeting of Central Board of Trustees (CBT), EPF
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 238th meeting of Central Board of Trustees (CBT), EPF in New Delhi today. The Vice-Chairman Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Co-Vice-Chairperson Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Labour & Employment and Member Secretary Mr. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner were also present during the meeting.
CBT under the chairmanship of Dr. Mandaviya, took a number of path-breaking decisions during the CBT meeting. The major decisions taken by the Board in the meeting include:
Simplification and liberalization of EPF partial withdrawal provisions:
‘Vishwas Scheme’ launched to reduce litigation through rationalised penal damages:
EPFO–IPPB partnership for doorstep digital life certificate services:
EPFO digital transformation framework:
Selection of Four Portfolio Managers:
During the meeting, Chairman (CBT), Dr Mansukh Mandviya inaugurated a series of key digital initiatives of EPFO, aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and user experience in service delivery, as under:
Further, the Board was informed about the progress in social security expansion, digital transformation and service delivery made by EPFO, as under:
- Re-engineered return filing module: This module is introduced under CITES (Centralised IT Enabled System) project for upgrading the EPFO’s digital eco-system. The revamped Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) process streamlines employer contributions to EPFO through a simplified four-step workflow: upload ECR, validate/approve, generate challan and make payments. This module is a major step towards simplification and automation of employer compliance processes. This step will significantly reduce grievances for both members and employers by introducing automated validations, real-time checks and seamless data integration across EPFO systems. These enhancements ensure accurate crediting of PF and pension contributions, minimizing errors such as missing or mismatched entries and enabling timely reflection of contributions in members’ passbooks. For employers, the simplified workflow and built-in correction mechanisms reduces data rejections, repetitive submissions and manual interventions, making compliance smoother and faster. Overall, the revamped system ensures error-free reporting, transparent record-keeping and quicker claim settlements leading to a substantial decline in grievances and promoting trust in EPFO.
- Re-engineered user management module: This module is also introduced under CITES project. The revamped module enhances system security and ease of access through improved authentication mechanisms and a more intuitive user interface for EPFO’s officers and staff. The module provides facility to create new EPFO offices through system, which was not there since 2017 in the legacy system and was being managed using workaround was provided to map establishments. Office formation at district office level, a huge enabler in service delivery, ensures hierarchy to be created and to deliver services efficiently
- Upgradation of e-Office from version 6 to version 7: As part of EPFO’s ongoing digital transformation, the upgraded e-Office platform brings enhanced workflow automation, better document management and improved tracking features, leading to faster file processing and decision-making contributing to efficient EPFO digital ecosystem. The e-office is used to process member services areas cases viz. pension on higher wages, Appendix-E, special VDR and demographic profile correction etc. Upgraded e-office platform will enable faster processing of service delivery related cases.
- Implementation of SPARROW (Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window) for APAR management: EPFO has adopted a more efficient, transparent and paperless system for managing Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) of its officers and staff.