this is really a sad affair on the part of the Head Office of the EPFO as all the proposals coming to Head office from the Regional offices are duly checked and certified by the concerned RPFC to the effect that the cases sent by them for approval /notification by the respective Govt. are as per terms and conditions imposed by the EPFO and duly in accordance with the Model Byelaws of EPFO, thereby leaving less chances of any shortcoming to be checked by the Head Office. The delay seems to be nothing but unwillingness to clear the backlog . Rather keeping in view the huge pendency of claims in the feild, EPFO should encourage the Employers to seek Exemptions to form and run their own Trusts so as to settle the claims of their ex -employees then and there in the estt. itself instead of sending to P.F. Office where delay in settlement is well known. The EPFO must encourage employers in this regard and allow exemptions to smaller estts. also by extending full guidance in securing Securities /bonds etc as required statutorily.