Important EPFO news alert in view of coronavirus outbreak

Despite the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions across the country, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is ensuring that pensions to over 65 lakh people are disbursed on time. In a statement issued, the EPFO said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, lockdowns have been declared in various parts of the country.

What EPFO said?

"In order to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the pensioners on account of the prevalent situation, the Central Provident Fund Commissioner has directed the field offices of EPFO to generate and reconcile pensioners` details and pension amount statements for the current month by March 25," it said.

It was also directed that the money should be forwarded to the banks in advance so that the monthly pension is credited into the account of the pensioners in time i.e. during the month of March itself, it said.

The EPFO said that it is disbursing monthly pension to more than 65 lakh pensioners every month under the Employees` Pension Scheme, 1995.

On Monday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country surged to 415, a spike from the 360 figure the night before, the Health Ministry said on Monday. The figure includes 41 foreign nationals and seven deaths.

Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra reported a death each on Sunday. Four fatalities were reported earlier from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab, the ministry said. The 415 figure also includes 24 people who have been cured, discharged or migrated, it said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 18,383 samples have been tested till 10 am on Monday.