Disabled Persons Receiving Pension and Ex-Gratia

01 DEC 2021

The Government had announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) on 26.03.2020 for the poor to help them fight the battle against Corona Virus. One of the components of said package was to provide ex-gratia of Rs.1000 in two installments (Rs.500/- each) to the existing old age, widow and disabled/ Divyangjan beneficiaries of the schemes of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). A total of Rs.2814.50 crore as ex-gratia was released to States/UTs in two tranches in April, 2020 and May, 2020 under PMGKY for the 282 lakh beneficiaries of NSAP schemes. This included release of Rs.77.34 crore to 7.73 lakh disabled beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).

State/UT-wise details of beneficiaries currently covered under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) are at Annexure.

Also check: PM CARES for Children Scheme 2021 – DoP

As per the NSAP guidelines, persons aged between 18-79 years with severe and multiple disabilities and belonging to families living below poverty line are covered under IGNDPS.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ms Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Lok Sabha yesterday.

The post Disabled Persons Receiving Pension and Ex-Gratia – IGNDPS appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Ministry of Labour & Employment

EPFO allows its members to avail second COVID-19 advance

Decision taken in view of second wave of Covid-19 pandemic

31 MAY 2021

To support its subscribers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, EPFO has now allowed its members to avail of a second non-refundable COVID-19 advance. The provision for special withdrawal to meet the financial need of members during the pandemic was introduced in March 2020, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). An amendment to this effect was made by the Ministry of Labour & Employment in Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 by inserting therein sub-para (3) under paragraph 68L, through a notification in the Official Gazette.

Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is provided. Members can apply for a lesser amount also.

The COVID-19 advance has been a great help to the EPF members during the pandemic, especially for those having monthly wages of less than Rs. 15,000. As of date, EPFO has settled more than 76.31 lakh COVID-19 advance claims thereby disbursing a total of Rs. 18,698.15 crore.

During the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, ‘mucormycosis’ or black fungus has been declared an epidemic recently. In such trying times, EPFO endeavours to lend a helping hand to its members by meeting their financial needs. Members who have already availed of the first COVID-19 advance can now opt for a second advance also. The provision and process for withdrawal of second COVID-19 advance is same as in the case of first advance.

Considering urgent need of members for financial support in these trying times, it has been decided to accord top priority to COVID-19 claims. EPFO is committed to settle these claims within three days of their receipt. For this, EPFO has deployed a system driven auto-claim settlement process in respect of all such members whose KYC requirements is complete in all respects. Auto-mode of settlement enables EPFO to reduce the claim settlement cycle to just 3 days as against the statutory requirement to settle the claims within 20 days.

PIB

The post PF withdrawal: EPFO members can now apply for a second COVID-19 non-refundable advance appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Dated: 08 JUL 2020

Extension of EPF contribution 24% – Cabinet approves the proposal to extend the EPF contribution 24% (12% employees share and 12% employers share) for another three months from June to August 2020 under PMGKY /AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval for extending the contribution both 12% employees’ share and 12% employers’ share under Employees Provident Fund, totaling 24% for another 3 months from June to August, 2020, as part of the package announced by the Government under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)/ Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the light of COVID-19, a Pandemic.

This approval is in addition to the existing scheme for the wage months of March to May, 2020 approved on 15.04.2020. The total estimated expenditure is of Rs.4,860 crore. Over 72 lakh employees in 3.67 lakh establishments will be benefitted.

Salient Features:

The salient features of the proposal are as under:

• For the wage months of June, July and August, 2020, the scheme will cover all the establishments having upto 100 employees and 90% of such employees earning less than Rs. 15,000 monthly wage.
• About 72.22 lakh workers working in 3.67 lakh establishments will be benefited and would likely to continue on their payrolls despite disruptions.
• Government will provide Budgetary Support of Rs.4800 crore for the year 2020-21 for this purpose.
• The beneficiaries entitled for 12% employers’ contribution for the months of June to August, 2020 under Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) will be excluded to prevent overlapping benefit.
• Due to prolonged lockdown, it was felt that businesses continue to face financial crisis as they get back to work. Therefore, the Hon’ble FM, as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, announced on 13.5.2020 that the EPF support for business and workers will be extended by another 3 months viz. for the wage months of June, July, and August, 2020.
• The steps taken by the Government from time to time to ameliorate the hardships faced by the low paid workers are well accepted by the stakeholders.

Source: PIB

The post Extension of EPF contribution 24% – Cabinet approves the proposal to extend the EPF contribution 24% for another three months from June to August 2020 under PMGKY/ AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Income Tax Department (ITD) has initiated Operation Clean Money, today. Initial phase of the operation involves e-verification of large cash deposits made during 9th November to 30th December 2016. Data analytics has been used for comparing the demonetisation data with information in ITD databases. In the first batch, around 18 lakh persons have been identified in whose case, cash transactions do not appear to be in line with the tax payer’s profile.

ITD has enabled online verification of these transactions to reduce compliance cost for the taxpayers while optimising its resources. The information in respect of these cases is being made available in the e-filing window of the PAN holder (after log in) at the portal https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. The PAN holder can view the information using the link “Cash Transactions 2016” under “Compliance” section of the portal. The taxpayer will be able to submit online explanation without any need to visit Income Tax office.

Email and SMS will also be sent to the taxpayers for submitting online response on the e-filing portal. Taxpayers who are not yet registered on the e-filing portal (at https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) should register by clicking on the ‘Register Yourself’ link. Registered taxpayers should verify and update their email address and mobile number on the e-filing portal to receive electronic communication.

A detailed user guide and quick reference guide is available on the portal to assist the taxpayer in submitting online response. In case of any difficulty in submitting on line response, help desk at 1800 4250 0025 may be contacted.

Data analytics will be used to select cases for verification, based on approved risk criteria.  If the case is selected for verification, request for additional information and its response will also be communicated electronically. The information on the online portal will be dynamic getting updated on receipt of new information, response and data analytics.

The response of taxpayer will be assessed against available information. In case explanation of source of cash is found justified, the verification will be closed without any need to visit Income Tax Office. The verification will also be closed if the cash deposit is declared under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY).

The taxpayers covered in this phase should submit their response on the portal within 10 days in order to avoid any notice from the ITD and enforcement actions under the Income-tax Act as also other applicable laws.

PIB

The post Income Tax Department (ITD) launches Operation Clean Money appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.