EPFO has revised the Certificate of Coverage Form which is applicable to all Indian Workers (having Indian passport) going to work in SSA(Social Security Agreement) country.

In this Form, a joint undertaking has been introduced with the EPF Member & Employer that when they are deputed to any SSA country, employer will continue to contribute during the posting of this employee while working in SSA country.

Employer's responsibility will be to inform the employment status, time to time. Employer & employee will be jointly and separately responsible for any kind of misuse of the revised COC.

For more details, view the official notification here.

Dr. V.P. Joy, Central Provident Fund Commissioner and Dr. M. Ravi Kanth, CMD HUDCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of our Hon’ble Minister, HUPA, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Labour & Employment, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya for facilitating “Housing for All by 2022” at Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, New Delhi.

By taking one step forward to achieve Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Housing for all by 2022, EPFO has amended EPF Scheme 1952 vide Gazette notification No. G.S.R. 351(E) dated 12th April, 2017 to provide assistance in acquiring affordable houses to the EPF members by allowing withdrawal from the provident fund to the extent of 90% of the total PF accumulation and also facilitating payment of installment of housing loan. The major objective of this scheme is to assist in building houses for workers integrating with housing programmes of the Central and State Governments.

The important features of this scheme are as follows:-

1. Bring together all stake holders namely, workers, employers, financial institutions & housing agencies to provide workers' need for Housing.

2. Form Housing societies for collective action, ten or more members can register a society. Society will arrange housing units from public/private housing providers, apply to the concerned PF office through the society for getting Certificate of Fund & Contribution.

3. Channelize the corpus of EPF savings to build affordable housing for the working class, withdrawal of up-to 90% of accumulations in members Provident Fund Accounts is allowed.

4. Banks/financing agencies can make use of certificate issued by Commissioner to arrive EMI for withdrawal under Para 68 BD (3) of EPF Scheme.

5. Full/part repayment of loans out of monthly P.F. Contributions.

6. Eligibility condition relaxed for such withdrawal, now membership ...

The State Government of Haryana has ordered on dated 12.06.2017 issued vide   Endst. No.   17967-18095  dated   19.06.2017 that   concerned   Registering Authorities for the registration of Shops &  Commercial Establishments under the Punjab Shops & Commercial Establishment Act,  1958 henceforth ensure  grant of Registration Certificate along  with  its Renewal Certificate within one day  from  the  date  of  application  and  to eliminate the requirement of inspection prior to registration under the Punjab Shops & Commercial Establishment Act, 1958.

For more details, view the official notification here.