Haryana Introduces Online Dashboard to Streamline Labour Services
The Haryana Labour Department has launched an online dashboard (Order No. 3741, October 15, 2024) to enhance ease of doing business and support industrial growth. This initiative complies with the DPIIT's national reforms to simplify regulatory processes. The dashboard provides real-time updates on applications, including submissions, approvals, and statutory fees paid for services under laws such as the Contract Labour Act, Shops and Establishments Act, and Factories Act. Applicants can track information day-wise or application-wise, and updates will display the last refreshed date and time for transparency. The move is expected to reduce administrative delays, enhance efficiency, and make compliance easier for businesses. By digitizing critical services, Haryana aims to attract more investment and strengthen its industrial ecosystem.
EPFO Issues Guidelines for Digital Signature Certificates (DSC/E-Sign)
The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has introduced guidelines (File No. Compliance/SOP(DSC)/2022/5550, October 10, 2024) to streamline the approval process for Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) and E-Signs as part of its e-governance initiative. The guidelines ensure authenticity and prevent misuse of DSC/E-Signs used for statutory documents and returns. Requests must be submitted on official letterheads, include three specimen signatures, and be countersigned by the employer with a visible name and seal. Additionally, Form 5A (establishment details) must be up-to-date in the EPFO system or attached with the request letter. Non-compliance will result in rejection of requests. These measures aim to enhance transparency, secure transactions, and streamline the digital authentication process, facilitating ease of business for employers and establishments.
Kerala Updates Labour Welfare Fund Rules with Digital Features
The Kerala Labour and Skills Department amended the Kerala Labour Welfare Fund Rules, 1977 (Notification No. G.O.(P)No.68/2024/LBR, October 1, 2024), introducing digital functionalities. Key changes include enabling online payments, transferring funds directly to beneficiaries via NEFT or modern banking systems, and allowing the electronic maintenance of registers and forms. The amendments aim to modernize fund management, reduce administrative burdens, and improve accessibility for workers and beneficiaries. Employers and fund administrators can now manage records more efficiently, ensuring timely disbursement of benefits. By integrating digital technologies, the Kerala government seeks to strengthen its welfare framework and enhance service delivery, reflecting a commitment to worker welfare and administrative efficiency.
ESIC Urges Immediate Action on Aadhar Seeding
The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) issued directives (File No. I-21013/1/2022-ICT-Part(1), October 21, 2024) to address a significant decline in daily Aadhar seeding counts. Regional and sub-regional offices have been instructed to take corrective actions immediately. Measures include enabling Aadhar seeding through IP and employer portals, facilitating bulk seeding for employers, and providing support via ESIC branches. Additionally, the AAA+ mobile app has been updated to allow convenient Aadhar linking using OTPs or face identification. Employers can also generate new insurance numbers for employees through biometric verification. These initiatives aim to ensure robust compliance with Aadhar requirements, streamline employee records, and improve access to ESIC benefits.
EPFO Rationalizes Bengaluru Offices and Adds Two New Units
The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has approved the rationalization of Bengaluru regional offices (Order No. HRD/50/2023, October 25, 2024). This decision follows recommendations made during the 103rd Executive Committee meeting held on October 19, 2024. The reorganization involves redistributing workloads among existing offices with overlapping jurisdictions to balance resources more effectively. Additionally, two new regional offices have been sanctioned for Bengaluru to address the growing demands in the region. The current total sanctioned staff strength will remain unchanged, with employees reallocated proportionally based on workload. Jurisdictional details, including pin code distributions, are included in the annexures to the order. This move aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve service delivery for EPFO beneficiaries in Bengaluru and surrounding areas.
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