The Union government’s plan to make Aadhaar number mandatory for Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers has hit a hurdle in the northeastern States where Aadhaar enrolment is comparatively lower.
Facing difficulties, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to extend the deadline for linking Aadhaar to PF accounts (in order to avail pension benefits) to September 30, 2017 in the northeast.
“Various references have been received citing difficulties in the submission of Aadhaar along with pension claims from the northeast region in general and Assam in particular as the Aadhaar enrolment process is not substantial there. This has led to issues in settlement of pension claims,” said an EPFO headquarters circular, approved by Central Provident Fund Commissioner V.P. Joy on Thursday. “However, all efforts shall be made for linking Aadhaar for members and pensioners under EPS, 1995 as early as possible,” the circular said.
The Centre in January made obtaining Aadhaar mandatory for claiming pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme of 1995 administered by the EPFO.
