The Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, J&K and Ladakh, Ajay K. Mehra, has urged employers and establishments across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to take timely steps to expand social security coverage of workers and comply with the latest provisions and welfare initiatives of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Mehra highlighted a series of initiatives related to social security coverage, statutory compliance, employee enrolment and employment generation, and called upon establishments to actively participate in the measures.
Under a recent development highlighted by Mehra, the statutory wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been enhanced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month.
The revision is expected to bring additional employees within the ambit of mandatory coverage under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI).
Mehra advised employers to identify eligible employees drawing wages up to the revised ceiling who are currently not covered, update their payroll and HR systems and calculate and remit contributions at the revised ceiling from the applicable effective date.
On VISHWAS, 2026, Mehra said the initiative provides an opportunity for amicable settlement of pending disputes relating to damages under the relevant provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The settlement window is available for six months from June 29, 2026, covering eligible disputes at different stages, including litigation, unpaid orders and pending notices.
Establishments with eligible disputes have been encouraged to avail themselves of the scheme before the window closes.
According to the EPFO official, the scheme has received a positive response from establishments, with more than 100 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir having applied under it.
Mehra also reiterated the benefits of the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026, which will remain open till October 31, 2026.
The campaign provides establishments an opportunity to enrol eligible employees who were left out of coverage and joined between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2026. Under the campaign, damages are limited to Rs 100, while the employees’ share is waived where it was not deducted earlier.
Employers have been urged to make full use of the campaign to bring eligible workers within the social security framework.
Mehra also called for continued participation by employers in the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), aimed at promoting employment generation and formal enrolment of new employees.
He urged establishments to actively participate in the initiative and contribute towards expanding formal employment and social security coverage.
About The Author
