Labour Secretary directs priority disposal of industrial death claims and identification of beneficiaries linked to inactive PF accounts
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 11,2026: The 27th Regional Committee meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Chhattisgarh, concluded at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan on Thursday, with a strong emphasis on expediting claim settlements, strengthening social security coverage and improving outreach to beneficiaries.
Chairing the meeting, Labour Department Secretary Shri Himshikhar Gupta directed officials to accord top priority to cases involving accidental deaths in industries and ensure their prompt resolution in coordination with the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). He stressed the need for a time-bound mechanism to provide relief and benefits to affected families.
The Secretary also instructed officials to identify beneficiaries linked to inactive provident fund accounts and ensure that pending payments are disbursed without delay. He emphasized that all eligible workers and their families should receive the benefits due to them under the social security framework.
Highlighting the importance of public outreach, Shri Gupta directed District Collectors, ESIC officials, Assistant Labour Commissioners, Deputy Labour Commissioners and concerned departments to actively participate in the EPFO’s monthly ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat’ programme, conducted on the 27th of every month across all 33 districts of the state. The initiative aims to bring provident fund services closer to workers and employers while facilitating the resolution of grievances at the grassroots level.
The meeting was conducted by Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and Member Secretary Shri Jayvadan Ingle, who presented a detailed overview of EPFO’s activities and progress in the state. He briefed participants on organisational coverage, ongoing court cases, implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, the Employee Registration Scheme-2025, and initiatives such as Prayas, Tatpar, convergence meetings and the new Sites Project.
Shri Ingle appealed to employers and EPF subscribers to actively participate in the ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat’ programme to ensure faster resolution of issues related to provident fund services and benefits.
The meeting also featured extensive discussions on compliance with the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, expansion of social security coverage, and challenges faced in extending benefits to a larger workforce across the state.
Officials reviewed the organisation’s achievements, ongoing initiatives and strategies to improve service delivery and strengthen engagement with employers and employees.
Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner Shri Bidhan Chandra Nayak, EPFO Deputy Directors Shri N.K. Patnaik and Shri Ratnesh Rajnya, and several senior officials attended the meeting.
Representing employers, Shri Mahesh Kakkar, President of the Chhattisgarh Industry Federation, and Shri Ashwin Garg, President of the Urla Industries Association, participated in the deliberations. Employee representatives included Shri Radheshyam Jaiswal, Shri Ishwar Chandel, Shri Shankh Dhwani Singh and Shri H.S. Mishra.
Senior EPFO officials present on the occasion included Regional Provident Fund Commissioners Shri Jayvadan Ingle, Shri Gaurav Dogra and Shri Debashish Chand, along with Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Shri Akash Agrawal. Shri Gaurav Dogra delivered a detailed presentation on the organisation’s performance and future initiatives.
