Can I Take Action Against My Ex-Employer for Delaying My Provident Fund Withdrawal?

I had submitted my PF withdrawal form to my ex-employer's head office on 20th May 2011. This is with proof as I had sent the same through Blue Dart couriers. My ex-employer confirmed the receipt of the same and informed me via email that they had forwarded it to the PF office for withdrawal. As I was not able to see any status on the PF website, I again emailed them asking for the reason. They assured me again via email that the same has been submitted and is under process. Now, after more than 2 and a half months, I casually checked the PF site and saw the status that my claim had been received on 03/08/2011 and is under process.

Possible Actions Against Ex-Employer

Now, can any action be taken against my ex-employer for:
- Delaying the submission by over 2 months,
- Deliberately giving misinformation to me?

Please advise.

There is no requirement to take action. It is sufficient that your claim has been forwarded by your employer after your regular follow-ups.

Dear Krishyam, it so happens to us when we claim for PF that the response is delayed from the ex-employer. There are things like you have to wait for 2 months from the date of the last day in the ex-organization. They have to submit Form-10 to the PF to indicate that you have left. They need to compile your Annual Statement of Account to generate Form 3A. All these take some time. Without completing these steps, if they submit, there are chances of your claim being rejected by the PF Office. So, it's good that your claim status is now shown. Follow up on it.

Thank you.

Truly Yours,

Kumar H P