The concept of 20 for factories running without power no longer exists now and it is 10 for factories and 20 for establishments coming under Shops Act.
In the instant case, only Profession Tax is applicable. If you desire to go for ESI registration, you should have at least 20 employees (if you come under an establishment) or 10 employees (in case yours is a factory). You can include all your casual, daily rated and security personnel to make the employment strength 10/ 20, as the case may be. Once you get registration, you can show them as left service. By doing so, you will be covered for the rest of the time.
For voluntary coverage of PF (which is given to establishments employing less than 20 employees) the approving authority is the Central PF Commissionerate. As such the process would be time consuming. At the same time, if you work out the list of employees to 20 as explained in the case of ESI, you will get it as per statute from the local PF Office itself. Once registration is obtained, you can show the casuals or fake names as left in the next months return (form 10)
But before going for the registration please think twice!!
Regards,
Madhu.T.K