Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Sis Ram Ola today flagged off the material, collected by the employees and officers of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation. The seven trucks loaded with relief materials flagged off on the occasion carrying rice, atta, pulses, refined oil, sugar, potatoes, clothes, shoes and other materials to provide relief to the victims of natural calamity in Uttrakhand. The officers and staff of Organisation also presented a Cheque of Rs.1 crore to the Minister on the occasion, for sending it further to the Chief Minister, Uttrakhand.
Shri Ola appreciated the gesture of the officers and employees of EPFO and asked them to work with utmost dedication for the welfare of the stakeholders’. Following is the text of Ministers speech:
“Uttarakhand witnessed massive natural calamity between 15th to 17th June 2013 which resulted in heavy loss of lives and property. The reconstruction of infrastructure and rehabilitation of victims of this calamity will take substantial time and resources.
I join the entire country in extending my sympathy to the family of those who have lost their near and dear ones and those who have suffered injury or loss of property in this tragedy. I take this opportunity to salute the personnel of our armed and paramilitary forces and other organizations for their extra ordinary services rendered at the time of emergency by rescuing pilgrims belonging to all parts of the country. They have also helped various teams to reach those who have lost their lives during this ervice. The staff and officers of EPFO have extended their help by way of contributing a sum of Rs. 1,00,00,000/- (Rs. One crore) to the Chief Minster’s Relief Fund and food items like wheat flour, edible oil, rice etc and other essential materials like woolen clothings, footwear, blankets, rain coats to the victims directly. I also appeal the other officers and staff posted in the Ministry of Labour & Employment as well as its various organizations to contribute and follow their EPFO colleagues in this holy cause.
A total of 22 ton relief material costing approximately 11 lakh rupees is being sent through seven trucks.
As the chairman of CBT, EPF I take this responsibility to all the officers in the Headquarters that instructions are not only issued to the Regional Office, Dehradun but also to all the Field Offices of EPFO across the country to fast track settlement of claims of Provident Fund, Pension and Employee’s Deposit Linked Insurance submitted by the families of affected persons.”
The minister also desired that EPFO employees should gear up for an early settlement of claims especially for the affected victims & their relatives of the calamities. According to Shri Ola, after introduction of ECR the online transfer facility which would be launched soon, it would further cut delays in transfer of Provident Fund. He also informed that the Ministry of Labour has already sent a proposal to enhance the wage ceiling for EPF purpose for the workers/employees engaging in different organized and unorganized sector entities.
Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi, Secretary (L&E) and CPFO Shri K.K. Jalan while addressing the gathering congratulated Staff and officers of EPFO for taking this initiative.