Jammu, Oct 30 (KNN) Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu have strongly criticised the State Provident Fund Department for denying PF statements to the workers, private organisations/Industrial units for the last many years.

The MSME members discussed the issue in respect of problems being faced by industrial workers and others for non-issuance of Provident Fund contribution statements by the concerned officials of PF Organisation at a meeting held by Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) Jammu.

''Members raised serious concern in respect of non- issuance of Provident Fund contribution statements by PF Department in respect of amount deposited by the MSME in the respective accounts of the workers resulting great resentment amongst the Industrial workers as they are not able to withdraw their contribution,'' said BBIA in a press release.

''The job for the uploading of records was outsourced by the PF Department due to shortage of staff about five years ago but till date the job is still pending for the reason known to the officials of the Department as they have failed to issue the computerized statements of the amount deposited in the account of the employees for the period prior to shifting to Online Mechanism under the 'Ease of Doing Business’ (EODB),'' alleged BBIA.

It was also highlighted in the meeting that 'some vested Interests’, taking the benefit of the issue, trying to mislead the workers appointed through contractors and tried to spoil the cordial atmosphere of the Industrial areas by threatening the management or the units whereas it is the responsibility of the contractors to deposit the contribution of the workers as the Industrial units always paid amount to the contractors on regular basis.

''We appreciated the working of the Assistant Commissioner Provident Fund Department Samba who has taken Initiative to clear the back log and settled nos. of case but it is the need of the hour to UPLOAD the Old records of the Department as early as possible for the issuance of Statements to the Industrial Workers,'' BBIA added.

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