Confused About PF Transfer After Leaving HDFC Standard Life? Let's Figure It Out Together

My friend was working at HDFC Standard Life, and in March 2011, he left that job. He then sent a request for PF Transfer to the department, but after some time, they sent the email written below. Please read this and help me regarding the query of PF transfer.

We are in receipt of your PF withdrawal/Transfer form no. 19 along with Pension form no. 10C.

In this regard, we would like to inform you that:

PF Trust and Exemption Status

HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Company") earlier maintained a PF trust, which was recognized under the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Employees' Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, was made applicable to HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company Ltd. effective November 16, 2007. The company thereafter made an application for exemption under Para 27A of the EPF & MP Act 1952 & Scheme framed thereunder for maintaining an exempted PF trust, which was not conceded by the appropriate authority.

Regards,

Consequently, the company had to surrender the existing HDFC Standard Life Employees' Provident Fund Trust to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, effective November 2010 contribution. The company thereafter started depositing the contribution of all its active employees to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner at Bandra.

The aforementioned process of transferring the trust to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner's Office in Bandra is still in progress. Due to this transition, the company is currently not authorized to process any PF & Pension settlements, transfers, or withdrawal of claims. Therefore, the settlement process will only commence after the entire transition to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner's Office in Bandra is completed, which is estimated to take another 3-4 months. The settlements following this transition will be handled by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner's Office in Bandra.

While we acknowledge the inconvenience caused by the delay in settlements, the company, as a lawful corporate entity, is complying with the statutory procedures and is making every effort to resolve the issue on a priority basis.

Approaching the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner's Office

How should we approach the concerned person at the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner's office, and what could be the reasons for the delay in the transfer of PF? We basically want to file a complaint with the PF Department regarding this.

Regards