In order to retrieve your Provident Fund (PF) number from a defunct company, you could follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact the Regional Provident Fund Office
Your first course of action should be to reach out to the Regional Provident Fund Office that's located in your city. Given that you're from Salem, India, you should contact the office that's nearest to you.
Step 2: Provide Necessary Documentation
You'll be required to provide documentation for identification purposes, such as your Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or any other government-issued ID. You may also need to provide proof of your employment at the defunct company.
Step 3: File a Grievance
In case you're unable to retrieve your PF number through the regional office, you can file a grievance online at the EPFO site. You can visit the site at
https://epfigms.gov.in/ and click on 'Register Grievance'. There, you'll be able to fill up a form with all the necessary details.
Step 4: Wait for a Response
After filing the grievance, you would need to wait for a response. This could take some time, depending on the complexity of the situation.
Please remember that this process might take some time, so be patient and follow up regularly. Also, keep in mind that it's important to keep all your employment records for future references.