Filing an EPFO Complaint: Can We Address PF Issues in Pune for a Chennai Account?

Hello everyone, I am writing this on behalf of my wife. She is working with a public limited company which is based in Chennai. This company has offices all over India. My wife has been working with this company for the last three years in the Pune office. Her appointment and service are conducted only in Pune. Our hometown is Pune, and we live there.

Her company has PF accounts under Chennai EPFO. We know for sure that her company has not contributed to PF from April 2011 till now. As my wife is leaving this company and the company is not responding properly for settlement, we want to file a complaint with the EPFO for the same.

Filing a Complaint with EPFO

So, I want to know, can we file a complaint for the above-stated issue at Pune EPFO even though the member's account is under Chennai EPFO?

If no, what should we do?

If yes, can someone tell us the procedure?

Thank you.

Assumptions Regarding EPF Contributions

We assume that she has become a member of the EPF and is contributing to the same. If so, you should have her account number and the amount of contribution made so far. The monthly pay slips must show these details. Additionally, since she has been working for three years, we assume that she has made contributions for the three years. If so, she should have received the annual account statements for the three years or at least for one year. Since you have not provided these details, we have made these assumptions.

Filing a Complaint with RPFC

In such a case, you can file a complaint with the RPFC concerned. It is their responsibility to take suitable action to ensure the employer complies with the EPF Scheme and settles the dues promptly.

We assume that she has become a member of the EPF and is contributing to the same. If so, you should have her account number and the amount of contribution made so far. The monthly payslips must be showing these details. Additionally, since she has been working for three years, we assume that she has made contributions for the three years. If so, she should have received the annual account statements for the three years or at least for one year. Since you have not provided these details, we have made these assumptions. In such a case, you can file a complaint with the RPFC concerned. It is their responsibility to take suitable action to ensure the employer complies with the EPF Scheme and settles the dues promptly. Thank you for your support.

Answers to Your Queries

1. We also assume that she has become an EPF member, as indicated by her salary slips.
2. The monthly payslips do show PF deductions (Employee Part), but do not mention anything about the employer's part.
3. She has contributed to EPF for the last three years, as evidenced by her salary slips. We do not have any other source confirming the same.
4. However, she has never received any annual statements to date. The company is now avoiding or neglecting our request to obtain them.

Therefore, I want to inquire: Can we lodge a complaint for the above-stated issue at Pune EPFO (Pune RPFC), even though the member's account is under Chennai EPFO (Establishment under Chennai EPFO)? If not, what steps should we take? If yes, could you please explain the procedure?

Regards

You can send the complaint separately to both Pune and Chennai RPFCs so that you get the result quickly. There is no prescribed format. You can send a letter detailing the situation and requesting them to help you get the settlement through the employer.

By the way, has she left the job or not? If she has left, she can fill out the final settlement form for EPF and complete the portions she knows, giving it to the employer to forward to the RPFC concerned for settlement. There are portions the employer has to fill in the form; hence, this procedure must be followed. If the employer refuses or delays, you can also mention this to the RPFCs in your complaint.

If she has not left the job and is only asking for the details of her EPF from the employer, which he is evading, then you must mention this to the RPFCs in your letter and ask them to inform you of the account number as well as the amount standing in your credit.

You can wait for about a month for a response from the RPFC. If no reply comes within that time, you can file an application under RTI asking them what action has been taken on your complaint and the persons responsible for the delay. That will expedite matters. Please send all communications through registered post with acknowledgment due and also keep copies of the same for future use.

Steps to Address PF Contribution Issues

Please note the following points:

1. Collect payslips of your spouse starting from the month of joining, ensuring the PF number and contribution amount deducted are mentioned.

2. Obtain Form 16 received from the company in your spouse's name, where the PF amount deducted should be reflected for income tax purposes.

3. Submit a request letter to the HR Department mentioning your interest to withdraw or transfer, along with duly signed prescribed forms under the EPF Act. If your request is not entertained by your employer, approach the concerned RPFC office with all relevant documents that you have submitted to your employer for the same.

After submission of the said documents to RPFC, wait at least 60 days; hopefully, your matter will be addressed. If not, you may file an application under RTI asking them (i.e., RPFC) to reply.

Thank you,

Regards,
AKS

EPFO Sub-Accounts and Filing Complaints

Any establishment having branches in various states is supposed to maintain sub-accounts with EPFO in those states for the convenience of employees unless the establishment is exempted. Hence, this company may have an account in Maharashtra/Pune. You can obtain information about remittances through an application under the RTI Act at the Pune EPFO office. The establishment code can be accessed through Google or the EPFO site. After obtaining the information, you can lodge a complaint if required.

You can send the complaint separately to both Pune and Chennai RPFCs so that you get the result quickly. There is no prescribed format. You can send a letter detailing the situation and requesting them to help you get the settlement through the employer. By the way, has she left the job or not? If she has left, she can fill up the final settlement form for EPF and complete the portions she knows, then give it to the employer to forward it to the RPFC concerned for settlement. There are portions the employer has to fill up in the form. Hence, this procedure has to be followed. If the employer refuses to do so or if he delays, you can point this out to the RPFCs in your complaint. If she has not left the job and is only asking for the details of her EPF from the employer, which he is evading, then you must mention this to the RPFCs in your letter and ask them to inform you of the account number as well as the amount standing to your credit. You can wait for about a month for a response from the RPFC. If no reply comes within that time, you can file an application under RTI asking them what action has been taken on your complaint and the persons responsible for the delay. That will expedite matters. Please send all communications through registered post with acknowledgment due and also keep copies of the same for future use.

She is in the notice period. Her relieving date is in mid-February this year. We will be doing all you have said in due course. It will take around two to three months to have something solid in our hands. We will let you know accordingly.

Thanks again for your support.

Regards.

We have collected most of the payslips from the company, stating the date of joining, PF number, and PF deductions up to the present date. In three years, the company has officially (deliberately) issued her salary slips with two different PF account numbers. We only noticed this recently.

No Form No. 6 has been provided by the company.

We have submitted several request letters to the HR Department, mentioning her interest to withdraw or transfer. The HR department's reply states that they will refund employee contributions and employer contributions to us, but not any interests or government contributions. Also, they are asking us to fill up Form 10C & 19, mentioning the leaving date as April 2011 (which is considered cheating/fraud).

The problem we face is that we are based in Pune and cannot travel to Chennai to visit the Chennai RPFC, as this company falls under the Chennai EPFO jurisdiction.

So, I want to know, can we file a complaint for the above-stated issue at Pune EPFO even though the member's account is under Chennai EPFO?

Thank you for the information.

EPFO Sub-Accounts Requirement

1) Is it compulsory by law to maintain sub-accounts with EPFO in those states where establishments have their branches? (This is not an exempted establishment). If yes, please tell me the section where it is mentioned.

We know for sure that this company does not have EPF accounts in Maharashtra. However, they do have registered offices in Pune and Mumbai.

Information Request and Complaint Filing

2) We know the establishment code, and it falls under Chennai EPFO. Can we get information about remittance through an application under the RTI Act in the Pune EPFO office, even though the company/establishment comes under the jurisdiction of Chennai EPFO? Also, I want to know if we can file a complaint at/through Pune EPFO (Pune RPFC) even though the member's account is under Chennai EPFO (Establishment under Chennai EPFO).

EPF Deduction and DA Arrears Issue

I am an employee of the UP State Government. EPF is regularly deducted from my salary, which is supposed to be deposited into my EPF account. As per State Government rules, DA arrears should also be deposited into the EPF account.

Yesterday, I downloaded my EPF e-passbook. The total deducted EPF amount, as well as the DA arrear amount, is not showing in the e-passbook. Even EPF for the whole year is also not deposited. I contacted the concerned person in my Account Division, but he did not give a satisfactory reply. Another person from the account division told me that the deducted amount and DA arrears have not been deposited into the EPF account. I guess the EPF office will not pay interest.

Questions Regarding EPF and DA Arrears

I have the following questions:
1. Who is responsible for this?
2. To whom do I have to contact for this issue?
3. Is there any punishment for this?

Thanks in advance.

Thank you for the information.

EPFO Sub-Accounts Requirement

1) Is it compulsory by law to maintain sub-accounts with EPFO in those states where establishments have their branches? (This is not an exempted establishment). If yes, please tell me the section where it is mentioned.

We know for sure that this company doesn't have EPF accounts in Maharashtra. But they do have registered offices in Pune & Mumbai.

RTI and Complaint Procedure

2) We know the establishment code, and it comes under Chennai EPFO. Can we get information on remittance through an application under the RTI Act in the Pune EPFO office, even though the company/establishment comes under the jurisdiction of Chennai EPFO? Also, I want to know, can we place a complaint at/through Pune EPFO (Pune RPFC) even though the member's account is under Chennai EPFO (Establishment under Chennai EPFO)?

I do not think that it is compulsory to have a sub-account in another EPF office. Anyway, please make the complaint to the RPFC/Chennai without wasting any more time. They are usually very prompt and responsive.