On this occasion, the Minister also launched a new SMS based UAN activation service which enables members to activate their accounts by sending an SMS to 7738299899 thus further making the activation process easy. Once activated, the member becomes eligible to all services envisaged in UAN programme such as credit alerts, passbook etc. This new service is especially helpful to such members who may not have easy access to computers or smart phones.

EPFO has already in place a Short Code SMS service which has enabled the members in knowing their details along with contribution and PF Balance through an SMS at 7738299899. As an extension to this service, the Missed Call service is intended to further ease the process since only a missed call at 01122901406, at no cost to the member, would provide him all the envisaged details. As this facility is available only to the UAN activated members, such facility will speed up the UAN activation process by the members.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt of India and Vice Chairman of CBT congratulated the team of officers of EPFO for bringing this Mobile Application in such a short time. He stated that EPFO has in the recent past provided better services to its stakeholders be it EPF members, employers or pensioners. These services include online services such as Universal Account Number (UAN), Helpdesk System, establishment registration, transfer claim, payments of contributions by employers, Jeevan Praman Patra (e-Life Certificate) for pensioners etc.

The function was also attended by members of the Central Board, EPF and other dignitaries. Shri K.K. Jalan, Central PF Commissioner thanked all the guests and assured that EPFO will continue its initiative of providing better services to its stakeholder by re-engineering its processes through online and centralised services such as in the area of revised ECR, online claim etc in the near future. He said that Bank Account and AADHAAR seeding with the UAN will ultimately reduce the burden of the employers.

Shri Bandaru Dattatraya informed that these services will facilitate nearly 3.54 crores contributing members, 49.22 lakh pensioners and 6.1 lakh employers. A total number of nearly 1.80 crore UAN are activated, 58.72 lakh UAN are seeded with AADHAAR and 1.82 crore UAN are seeded with Bank Account. In Hyderabad region, nearly 16.46 lakh contributing members, 1.26 lakh pensioners and 21,817 employers can avail these facilities. He also informed that the government has in perpetuity made Rs. 1000 as minimum pension and also informed that EPFO with the use of the technology is disbursing pension on the first day of the month. He also informed that Government has already decided to bring all construction workers who are more than 4 crore in numbers, all rickshaw pullers and all auto rickshaw drivers under the fold of EPFO & ESIC.

Shri Dattatreya also stated that Government is committed to create an environment which is conducive for creation of jobs at every level. In view of this the new Government under Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modiji has taken three big initiatives – Make in India, Skill India and Digital India. However, to make these initiatives to bear fruits it would be necessary to simplify and rationalise labour laws. The Government is taking all initiatives in this direction so that the workers can be assured of job security, wage security and social security while ensuring ease of doing business.

SOURCE – PIB