Refund of EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to APG Bank – Reg.

[Helping Hands Foundation]

To:

The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner

EPF Organization

Kadapa

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from Helping Hands Foundation (HHF)!

 

Please find attached a detailed letter from our organization regarding the urgent need for the refund of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank, as outlined in their communication (Ref. No. 18/APGB/REP/2025 dated 21.01.2025).

 

We kindly request you to acknowledge receipt of this email and the attached letter to ensure the matter is under process. If there are any deficiencies or additional requirements needed for expediting the resolution of this matter, please inform us at the earliest. HHF is committed to extending any assistance necessary to facilitate the early settlement of this issue.

 

Your prompt action and response will go a long way in alleviating the difficulties faced by the affected pensioners.

 

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

 

Best regards,
Abdul Naseer
Managing Director
Helping Hands Foundation

Attachment: HHF Letter to RPFC – EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund

 

Copy to all the concerned.

 

[Helping Hands Foundation]

To: 

The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner

EPF Organization, Kadapa

 

Subject: Gentle Reminder: Urgent Refund of EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund

 

Reference:

1. HHF email dt.23.1.2025 and its attached Letter dated 23.01.2025
2. APGB Letter Ref. No. 18/APGB/REP/2025 dated 21.01.2025

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from Helping Hands Foundation (HHF)!

 

We wish to bring to your kind attention our previous correspondence dated 23.01.2025 regarding the urgent refund of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank (APGB), which remains unresolved despite multiple follow-ups.

 

The prolonged delay in refunding the pension corpus is causing severe financial hardship to retired employees and pensioners, many of whom are senior citizens dependent on these funds for their daily sustenance and medical needs.

 

Legal Reference & Compliance under EPF Act

We wish to reiterate that, under the provisions of the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, particularly Section 17, and as per the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, any delay in the settlement of pension fund transfers must be avoided to prevent undue hardship to beneficiaries. Section 17 of the Act empowers the appropriate government to exempt certain establishments, including banks, provided they maintain a provident fund that is not less favorable than the statutory requirements.

 

Furthermore, as per the EPFO Guidelines, the funds held by EPF must be transferred to the designated pension fund/trust within the stipulated time frame. Any deviation from this not only affects pensioners but also leads to procedural lapses in compliance with the prescribed rules.

 

Request for Immediate Action

In light of the above, we humbly request your esteemed office to:

1. Expedite the release of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank at the earliest.
2. Provide a written confirmation of the current status and expected timeline for the refund process.
3. Ensure strict adherence to the EPF Act & Pension Scheme regulations to safeguard the interests of pensioners.

 

Acknowledgment of Our HHF Email

Additionally, we seek an official acknowledgment of our email dated 23.01.2025, along with any further requirements or clarifications needed to accelerate this process. Timely communication from your office will help us extend necessary support in resolving this matter efficiently.

 

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your prompt action in alleviating the distress of the affected pensioners. Please feel free to contact us should any additional information be required.

 

Thanking you in advance.

 

Yours sincerely,
ABDUL NASEER

Managing Director
Helping Hands Foundation

 

Copy to:

• EPFO Zonal Office
• EPFO Head Office
• Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank, Head Office, Kadapa
• Other relevant authorities

[Helping Hands Foundation]

Subject: Urgent Reminder: Immediate Refund of EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund – Request for Action

To:
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner
EPF Organization
Kadapa

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from Helping Hands Foundation (HHF)!

We are writing to bring to your immediate attention the pending EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund refund to Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank (APGB). Despite our repeated communications, we regret to note that no acknowledgment or action has been taken on this critical issue.

1. Initial Communication:
   On 23.01.2025, we sent a detailed email to your office, attaching our official letter (HHF Letter dated 23.01.2025), which outlined the urgent need for the refund of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to APGB. The letter highlighted the severe financial and emotional distress faced by retired staff and pensioners due to the delay in refunding the pension corpus.

2. Gentle Reminder:
   A gentle reminder was sent on 18.02.2025, reiterating the urgency of the matter and requesting an immediate response. However, we have yet to receive any acknowledgment or update on the status of the refund process.

3. Lack of Response:
   Despite our repeated follow-ups, there has been no acknowledgment of our emails or any action taken report from your office. This lack of response is deeply concerning, especially given the critical nature of the issue and its impact on the lives of retired employees and pensioners.

4. Request for Clarity:
   If the Pension Fund cannot be transferred to the Bank, we request you to inform us of the reasons behind the delay or any obstacles in processing the refund. This will enable us to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities for resolution.

5. EPF Circular Reference:
   We would like to draw your attention to the EPF Head Office Circular No. Coord/4(6)2003/Clarification/Vol.II/11225 dated 27.12.2019, which explicitly states that Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are exempted from the EPF Scheme. As per this circular, it is the moral and statutory responsibility of the EPFO to transfer the funds to the concerned RRB Pension Trust without further delay.

6. Copy to Superior Officials:
   A copy of this email is being marked to superior officials for the issuance of necessary instructions to ensure immediate action in this regard.

7. Further Delay:
   We regret to inform you that any further delay in resolving this matter or non-response to our emails will force us to initiate a suitable further course of action, including escalating the issue to higher authorities.

We trust that your esteemed office will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take immediate steps to resolve the issue. We look forward to your prompt response and action.

Thank you for your attention.

Best regards,
Abdul Naseer
Managing Director
Helping Hands Foundation

Copy to:

1. EPFO Zonal Office

2. EPFO Head Office

3. Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank, Head Office, Kadapa

1. Other concerned authorities

---

Attachment:

1. HHF Letter dated 23.01.2025

2. Gentle Reminder dated 18.02.2025

3. EPF Head Office Circular No. Coord/4(6)2003/Clarification/Vol.II/11225 dated 27.12.2019

[Helping Hands Foundation]

Subject: Final Reminder: Immediate Refund of EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund – Explanation for Non-Response Requested

To:
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner
EPF Organization
Kadapa

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from Helping Hands Foundation (HHF)!

This is in reference to our previous communications dated 23.01.2025, 18.02.2025, and 06.03.2025, regarding the urgent need for the refund of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank (APGB). Despite our repeated reminders, we regret to note that there has been no response or action from your office, which is both concerning and unacceptable.

Background of the Issue:

1. Initial Communication (23.01.2025):
   We sent a detailed email to your office, attaching our official letter (HHF Letter dated 23.01.2025), which outlined the urgent need for the refund of the EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund to APGB. The letter highlighted the severe financial and emotional distress faced by retired staff and pensioners due to the delay in refunding the pension corpus.
2. Gentle Reminder (18.02.2025):
   A gentle reminder was sent, reiterating the urgency of the matter and requesting an immediate response. However, no acknowledgement or action was taken.
3. Urgent Reminder (06.03.2025):
   An urgent reminder was sent, emphasizing the statutory obligations under Section 17 of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and referencing the EPF Head Office Circular No. Coord/4(6)2003/Clarification/Vol.II/11225 dated 27.12.2019, which exempts Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the EPF Scheme. Despite this, no response or action has been taken.

Reference to APGB Communication:

We would also like to bring to your attention the communication from Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank (APGB) (Ref. No. 18/APGB/REP/2025 dated 21.01.2025), which clearly states that the Bank has not yet received the pension corpus fund from the EPF Office. The Bank has been continuously pursuing the matter with the EPF authorities, and it has even been brought to the attention of the Apex Authorities. However, the delay in refunding the pension corpus has caused significant hardship to the retired staff and pensioners, who are eagerly awaiting their rightful benefits.

Statutory Obligations and Penalties:

We would like to draw your attention to the following sections of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, which mandate swift action in matters related to the refund of provident fund amounts and impose penalties for default by the EPFO and its supervising staff:

1. Section 14 – Penalties for Default:
• Section 14(1): Any person, including officials of the EPFO, who fails to comply with the provisions of the Act, including the timely transfer of funds, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with a fine which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000, or with both.
• Section 14(1A): In case of continued failure, an additional fine of Rs. 1,000 per day may be imposed for each day the default continues after the conviction.
2. Section 7Q – Interest on Delayed Payments:
   In case of delayed payments or transfers, the EPFO is liable to pay interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date the amount became due until the date of actual payment. Supervising staff may be held responsible for ensuring compliance with this provision.

Final Reminder and Call for Explanation:

We are deeply disappointed by the lack of response from your office despite our repeated follow-ups. This non-responsiveness is not only a violation of statutory obligations but also a disregard for the welfare of retired employees and pensioners who are suffering due to the delay in refunding the pension corpus.

In light of the above, we request the following:

1. Immediate Refund of EPS-1995 Pension Corpus Fund:
   We urge your office to prioritize the release of the pension corpus fund to APGB without any further delay.
2. Explanation for Non-Response:
   We demand a detailed explanation for the non-response to our previous communications. Please clarify why no action has been taken despite the statutory obligations and the urgency of the matter.
3. Status Update and Timelines:
   Provide a clear status update on the refund process and the expected timelines for the transfer of funds.
4. Reasons for Delay (if any):
   If there are any legal or administrative hurdles preventing the refund, kindly inform us of the same so that we can take up the matter with the appropriate authorities.

Copy to Superior Officials:

A copy of this email is being marked to superior officials for the issuance of necessary instructions to ensure immediate action in this regard.

Next Steps:

We sincerely hope that this matter will be resolved promptly. However, in the absence of a response or action within 7 days from the date of this email, we will have no choice but to escalate the matter to higher authorities and explore other appropriate measures to ensure the rights of the affected pensioners are upheld.

We trust that your esteemed office will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take immediate steps to resolve the issue.

Thank you for your attention.

Best regards,
Abdul Naseer
Managing Director
Helping Hands Foundation

Copy to:

1. EPFO Zonal Office
2. EPFO Head Office
3. Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank, Head Office, Kadapa
4. Other concerned authorities

Attachments:

1. EPF Head Office Circular No. Coord/4(6)2003/Clarification/Vol.II/11225 dated 27.12.2019

1. APGB Letter Ref. No. 18/APGB/REP/2025 dated 21.01.2025