Regional News

KCCI and EPFO Organize Stakeholders’ Meeting on EPFO Reforms and New Schemes

By Editor

Posted on October 29, 2026

KCCI and EPFO Organize Stakeholders’ Meeting on EPFO Reforms and New Schemes

Mangaluru : The Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru, in association with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Regional Office, Mangaluru, organised a Meeting with Stakeholders on “EPFO Reforms & New Schemes” at the KCCI Meeting Hall, Bunder, on 28 October 2026.

Welcoming the gathering, KCCI President Shri Divakar Pai Kochikar said the new EPF, Pension and EDLI schemes under the Code on Social Security, which came into force on 29 June, replace rules dating back to 1952, making this a major change for employers. He said members had many questions on withdrawals, claim settlement and their obligations as employers, and the session gave them the opportunity to get answers directly from senior EPFO officers. He urged employers to make use of the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign before it closes on 31 October. He said the KCCI Labour Sub-committee, headed by Shri Mahabala Alva, would note the issues raised by members and that the Chamber would follow them up with the EPFO Regional Office. He thanked the Regional Office team and the event sponsors, Bharath Group, Cargolinks, Karnataka Bank and Kalbavi Consumer Foods.

Shri Mahabala Alva, Chairman of the KCCI Labour Sub-committee, thanked the EPFO for conducting the awareness session for members. He said such programmes help employers and their representatives understand the latest EPFO regulations, address difficulties relating to statutory compliance and strengthen employees’ social security.

Shri Sandeep Biswas, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Mangaluru, spoke about various schemes introduced by the EPFO, including the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2026 (EEC 2026) and the Vishwas Scheme. He also highlighted the facility for obtaining a Digital Life Certificate through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), under which postal personnel visit pensioners’ residences to capture their biometrics and generate Digital Life Certificates online, free of cost to pensioners, with the cost borne by the EPFO.

Shri U. Panduranga Kini, Accounts Officer, EPFO Regional Office, Mangaluru, introduced the Chief Guest, Shri Jay Kumar, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Karnataka & Goa Zone.

Addressing the gathering of EPFO stakeholders, particularly industrialists, HR professionals and consultants, Shri Jay Kumar explained the EPFO reforms and recent changes relating to withdrawals. He also appreciated KCCI for preserving the legacy of trade and commerce connecting Mangaluru with various parts of the country through the Trade Gallery at the Chamber.

He emphasized that changes in the EPFO are aimed at making its services more member-friendly and are undertaken in consultation with industry bodies and organisations representing employees and employers that are part of the Central Board of Trustees of the EPF.

He encouraged participants to approach the authorised officials and attend the Nidhi Aapke Nikat (NAN) programme, conducted by the Regional and District PF Offices on the 27th of every month at individual establishments or clusters of establishments, to seek clarifications and resolve grievances. He also advised members to visit www.epfigms.gov.in to register grievances relating to the EPFO and its services.

Interacting with the participants, he encouraged employers to make use of the Prayas Scheme by coordinating with the EPFO, so that eligible employees receive their Pension Payment Order (PPO) on the day of retirement.

Shri Ankit Singh, Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO Regional Office, Mangaluru, gave a detailed presentation on the changes introduced in the EPF, EDLI and EPS schemes following the implementation of the Code on Social Security. He also explained the increase in the wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.

Ms. Anitha, Shri Sandeep B.C. and Ms. Susheela A., Enforcement Officers, along with other officials from the EPFO Regional Office, Mangaluru, were present on the occasion.

Business owners, HR professionals, finance heads and consultants attended the programme.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Jeethan Allen Sequeira, Hon. Secretary, KCCI.