New Delhi: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has instructed the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to launch a campaign with employers to ensure that employees' Universal Account Numbers (UAN) are activated using Aadhaar-based OTP. This effort, announced on Thursday, is part of a broader initiative to enhance access to government schemes and benefits.
To make this happen, EPFO will engage its zonal and regional offices for effective outreach. This initiative is tied to the Union Budget 2024-25, where the government announced measures to maximize the reach of the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, benefiting both employers and employees.
The central government has already directed various ministries and departments to ensure that subsidies and incentives under welfare schemes are distributed through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge, with 100 percent biometric Aadhaar authentication.
Aadhaar-based verification simplifies processes, promotes transparency, and ensures that beneficiaries receive their entitlements without the hassle of multiple identity documents.
Employers are now required to activate UANs for all new employees in the current financial year using Aadhaar-based OTP by November 30, 2024, starting with the latest hires. The process must then be completed for all employees working with them.
UAN activation will provide employees with easy access to EPFO’s online services, including the ability to manage Provident Fund (PF) accounts, download passbooks, submit claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers, and update personal details. With these features, employees will have 24/7 access to their PF services from home, without needing to visit EPFO offices.
As part of the budget, the government will roll out three schemes under the ‘Employment Linked Incentive’ program, which will focus on the enrollment of first-time employees and offer support to both employees and employers. The ELI Scheme aims to generate over 2 crore jobs in the next two years, enhancing employment opportunities and improving livelihoods across the country.
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