EPF fulfills all the desires and aspirations of employees. But there have been cases where in the employees are rejected their withdrawal just because of some issues. This might include discrepancies in the employee’s details such as name, father’s name, etc. So there are controversies, so there is an authority to decide all the EPF disputes. Lets read about it in detail.
Moreover, there can be differences in the expected and the actual account balance. This might lead to some misunderstanding/ disputes between you and your organization. So in such scenarios, you keep on thinking and investigating onto the authorities, responsible for deciding in case of a dispute.
Today, the internet has served the purpose of getting your questions answered. All your queries are answered in just a few clicks. Here in this article, we would look to answer the query: Who is the authority to decide regarding the disputes, if any, in the case of EPF scheme?
Authority Deciding And Resolving Disputes Of EPF
To get it straight, you can appeal in case of any disputes. Under section 7A of the EPF Act, the Provident Fund Commissioner has been given rights and power to decide regarding disputes regarding EPF. Section 7A(2) of the EPF scheme provides power to the PF commissioner with that of a Civil court.
Within the same, the individual can be examined under oath to give in the pieces of evidence of the allegations the employee has in against the employer. Moreover, the Commissioner can examine the individual itself in front of a court. But before the case proceedings, the Commissioner has to provide all the details related to the proceedings.
But the PF commissioner can not make the final decision under the dispute. Moreover, the employee/party can counter the assessment given in 7A, too, given by the Commissioner. The party can appeal in section 7B and review the same under section 7I. But generally, the assessment passed by the Commissioner stands to be the final.
The EPFO organization sets its guidelines considering the interest of the majority of the population. With modernization and digitization, the EPFO tries to use various opportunities provided by the same.
Also, they keep in mind the various issues that might arise due to the same. They have a toll free number and an email id wherein you can get your queries answered. But there are times when you are not able to find the answer to your question.
Or you are unsatisfied with the proceeding that has been provided to you. So, you would like to appeal to the higher authority regarding it. So you can definitely appeal in case of a dispute regarding the applicability of the act. Moreover, the authorize can also be called in case of a quantum of money deducted.
Authorities To Be Approached In Case Of Any Dispute:
So the authorities that can be contacted regarding the dispute are:
i. Central Provident Fund Commissioner: Usually, when a dispute becomes quite big of a case wherein the interest of a major group of individuals is comprised. Only then do the disputes reach up to this level.
ii. Additional Provident fund Commissioner: This authority works together with the Central Provident Fund Authority on more significant disputes.
iii. Regional/Deputy/ Assistant Provident fund Commissioner: They look into disputes that belong to a lesser number of people. Generally, disputes regarding EPF are solved with these authorities itself.
To appeal for your cause, you can appeal to an EPFO body known as Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal as an employee. You would need to attach the supporting documents, an application projecting the effects of the order onto the group of people who would resonate with your problem.
Moreover, for verification purposes, you might be asked for your UAN number. And if your query is genuine enough, then the EPFO would send you a prompt reply towards it on the letterhead.
Moreover, you might be contacted for the same if the problem can be dealt with at a personal level. This could through email or a phone call that you would provide with the application. But generally, these things do not happen in the place. But yes, you can appeal against the orders.
Final Talk
With the EPFO organization member portal’s set up, various procedures related to your EPF account have become quite transparent. With each step, you can have a detailed description and procedure to do the same.
Moreover, the EPFO query section solves every doubt, even if it is a small one. This transparency has further expanded the trust of the employees within the organization.
Moreover, the prompt replies you get for your queries and appeals are among the best in the industry. And the authority claims that if a person finds that a particular community’s interest is compromised, they are free to get their disputes settled with the higher authority.
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