GUWAHATI, May 16 - Considering the difficulty faced by the establishments covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952 in the timely deposit of contributions or administrative charges due for any period during the nationwide lockdown, the EPFO has decided that such delays due to operational or economic reasons shall not be treated as default and penal damages should not be levied for such delay, stated an official press release issued here today.
Circular dated May 15 has been issued to EPFO field officers containing instructions to the effect that no proceeding shall be initiated for levy of penal damages in such cases which are available under TAB �COVID19� on home page of EPFO website.
The aforesaid step shall ease the compliance norms for 6.5 lakh EPF covered establishments and save them from liability on account of penal damages, added the release.