The Union Finance Ministry has accepted the EPFO Central Board of Trustees’ (CBT) determination taken in March to scale back the rate of interest on PF accounts to eight.1% from 8.5%.
The curiosity for 2021-22 can be now be credited to the account holders. The EPFO issued a notification to this impact on Friday. Trade unions and the Opposition had opposed the CBT determination.
“The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has conveyed the approval of the Central Government under para 60(1) of Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 to credit interest at the rate of 8.10 % for the year 2021-22 to the account of each member of the EPF Scheme as per the provisions under Para 60 of EPF Scheme, 1952,” EPFO, giving vital directions to all of the involved for crediting the curiosity to the members’ accounts, stated within the directive.
Okay.E. Raghunathan, Member of CBT representing employers, appreciated the velocity with which the the Labour and Finance Ministries cleared the rate of interest. He stated it was vital contemplating the dire wants of funds within the fingers of staff and hoped that it will assist employees meet bills corresponding to academic wants of their kids.
Workers’ consultant within the Board A.Okay. Padmanabhan stated all of the commerce unions within the CBT had opposed the proposal to scale back the rate of interest. “There was widespread criticism against this move of the Centre. Trade unions and Opposition parties had criticised this move,” Mr. Padmanabhan stated.
The lowest rate of interest the PF accounts had seen was 8% in 1977-78. The Centre had claimed that the choice was taken after taking a look at varied elements such because the worldwide state of affairs, unstable situation of inventory markets and to maintain the social safety targets.
“We cannot invest in high-risk instruments, we are looking at stable returns for social security needs,” Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav had stated in March after the board assembly held in Guwahati. He had argued that the speed was nonetheless increased than rate of interest on fastened deposits in banks such because the State Bank of India, the Public Provident Fund and such small-saving schemes.
Source: www.thehindu.com
