Srinagar, May 1: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry in a statement issued to media today said it organised a meeting with Rizwan Uudin, Commissioner EPFO, J&K, at the Chamber office to help sort out the issue in the light of the situation that has led to the default on the part of employers subscribing to the EPFO.
KCCI has earlier noted with concern the reservations expressed by its member entities registered with the EPFO regarding the recovery/penalty notices issued by the said organisation under various provision especially under Section 14B of the EPFO & MF ACT.
Several stakeholders invited were present in the meeting besides the Office Bearers of the KCC&I. The Commissioner, EPFO was accompanied by the Enforcement Officer, EPFO, Kashmir Mr. Ankur, the statement added.
During the meeting, the stakeholders expressed their concern with regard to the issuance of penalty/ recovery notice under sec. 14 (B) to several Kashmir-based business entities, the statement further said.
“It was explained in the meeting that default or delay in payment and filing of relevant returns was caused due to peculiar situations arising first out of the total restrictions imposed on public life in the State following the abrogation of Article 370 in August, 2019, with internet shutdown and other means of communication for nearly four months. Soon thereafter the woes that the business of public life has suffered through the unpredicted restrictions, got added up with the life threatening Covid-19 malady”, the statement further said.
“On the basis of these facts, it was pleaded with the Commissioner that the demand raised through the notice issued under various provisions especially 14 (B) of EPF&MFACT be quashed and delay in filing the returns condoned; the Commissioner EPFO was impressed upon to appreciate the ground situations prevailing during those difficult phase of disturbing events and take a view accordingly”, KCCI further noted in the statement.
“The Commissioner keenly heard the and enlightened the stakeholders about the applicability and implications of the relevant rules for persisting non – compliance of Act by the stakeholders and advised that a proper representation be made to the Ministry concerned asking for waiver of the penalties”, KCCI further observed.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry is accordingly working out the details to be brought on the representation to be addressed to the concerned Ministry for favorable consideration as advised by the Commissioner EPFO.
