PF & ESI Deduction

Folks,
I have seen on topic which is put by sarita regarding PF & ESI deuction of contractual employees.
I have some queries which are as follows;
1.If there are more than 20 contractual employees who are working as drivers(these employees will not get any company benefits), is it compulsory that we should deduct PF & ESI? The payment to the services which they are giving to the company is 7000(payment towards their services) plus 4000 (this is for their vehicle maintanance and petrol).
regards
Subramanian

dear
there esi and pf has to be deducted ,if you have hired them through some contractor than contractor will deduct the same if you have hired them directly than you have to deduct and deposit.
in both cases being principle employer you are responsible.
regards
js malik

In case of hire of vehicle from a single contractor and the contractor has employed only 2 (two) numbers of drivers for running the vehicles (less than 20 as required as per EPF Act), whether deduction and deposit of PF by the principal employer is mandatory?