Aadhaar seeding of UAN of EPF members for receipt of contributions through ECR to facilitate withdrawals / benefits: EPFO

Aadhaar seeding of Universal Account Number (UAN) of EPF members for receipt of contributions through Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) to facilitate withdrawals / benefits: EPFO

EMPLOYEES‘ PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION
(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India)
Head Office
Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikags Cama Place, New Delhi – 110 066.

No. BKG-27/5/2021-BKG/

Date: 11.09.2021

To,

The Addl. CPFCs of the Zones,
RPFCs in charge of Regional Offices
Officer in charge of the District Offices

Subject: Aadhaar seeding of Universal Account Number (UAN) of EPF members for receipt of contributions through Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) to facilitate withdrawals / benefits.

Reference: 1. EPFO Head Office Circular no. BKG-27/7/2020-G/Pt.V/ on 01.06.2021
2. EPFO Head Office Circular No.WSU/15(1)2019/ATR/529 dated 15.06.2021

Sir,

Please refer to SO 1730 (E) dated 30.04.2021 vide which the 3rd day of May, 2021 was appointed as the date on which the provisions of Section 142 of the Code on Social Security shall come into force. The said Section 142 mandates that the identity of an employee for the purpose of registration as a member or beneficiary for withdrawal of fund or for receiving any benefit under any Scheme must be established through Aadhaar number.

You are aware that the employees joining EPFO registered establishments on or after 1st October 2017 have Aadhaar seeded UANSs as per Notification S.O. 26 (E) dated 04.01.2017 issued under Section 7 of The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Further, online e-KYC service for Aadhaar seeding of UANs allotted prior to 01.10.2017 is available to both employers and employees on EPFO’s Portal & through UMANG APP & any withdrawals from member’s a/c is allowed only if UAN is Aadhaar seeded. Therefore, after allowing sufficient time of almost four years for Aadhaar seeding, EPFO issued instructions dated 01.06.2021 cited 1 above mandating that UANs is to be Aadhaar seeded for receipt of contributions through ECR.

However, considering the challenges faced by the employers & employees in expeditious seeding of Aadhaar in UANs particularly in view of corrections required in Aadhaar data of employees in aftermath of second wave of Pandemic, the EPFO with prior approval of the Central Government extended the time for mandatory seeding of Aadhaar in UAN for filing ECR up to 01.09.2021 which was communicated vide reference cited 2 above.

The representations for extension of time beyond 01.09.2021 have been considered and it is noted that overall about 94% of contributory EPF members’ UAN have Aadhaar seeding but there is less percentage of Aadhaar seeding in UANs of contributory members in EPFO’s administrative Zone of North Eastern Region and in certain class of establishments / industries such as Beedi making, Building & Construction and Plantation. Since Aadhaar seeding is mandatory for any withdrawals, receipt of contributions in Aadhaar seeded UANs helps members to file online claims to avail withdrawals & file e-nominations without employer’s intervention & avoids delay in withdrawals due to non-seeding of Aadhaar in UAN.

Now therefore, considering the foregoing, it is hereby decided as under:

(a) Considering the low Aadhaar penetration in the EPFO’s administrative Zone of North East Region comprising of States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland & Tripura, time for mandatory seeding of Aadhaar in UAN for filing ECR is extended till 31.12.2021

(b) Considering the concentration of establishments in remote localities & in areas affected by insurgency, frequent change in work sites of the workers and other attendant constraints in the Classes of establishments- Beedi making, Building and Construction and Plantation industries (Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Pepper, Jute, Rubber, Cinchona, Cashewnuts etc.) time for mandatory seeding of Aadhaar in UAN for filing ECR is extended till 31.12.2021.

(c) For areas and industries / class of establishments other than above, delay in filing of ECRs for wage months of August, 2021 & September, 2021 only in respect of EPF members due to non-seeding of Aadhaar in the UANs should not be presumed as employer’s default for levy of penal damages u/s 14B of the EPF & MP Act, 1952.

It is further directed that the Zonal Offices shall ensure that Regional Offices & District Offices facilitate and coordinate with UIDAI to organize camps for Aadhaar enrollment and corrections in Aadhaar data of EPF members to facilitate Aadhaar seeding in UANs and monitor the progress on weekly basis.

(This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority)

(RAJIV BISHT)
Addl. CPFC (F&A)

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