EPFO Jammu releases 1st same-day pension under Prayaas scheme

Srinagar, Dec 31: The Regional Office, Jammu of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has achieved a significant milestone by releasing a pension on the very day of retirement under the Prayaas scheme for the first time in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The achievement was realised under the guidance of Kumar Rohit, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner (HQ) for the Delhi, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Zone, whose focused supervision and timely support ensured the successful implementation of the initiative.

Since the extension of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 to Jammu and Kashmir with effect from November 1, 2019, EPFO Jammu has issued pension benefits to more than 1,430 pensioners across the Jammu division. Of these, one pension has now been settled under the Prayaas scheme, marking the first such case in the UT, according to Sumeet Singh, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, EPFO Jammu.

On Wednesday, the Regional Office released a monthly pension of Rs 5,177 to Narendra Sharma of BSF Senior Secondary School, Jammu, on the day of his superannuation. The Prayaas scheme aims to ensure that the Pension Payment Order is issued on the date of retirement itself, enabling a smooth and immediate transition from service to pension.

Explaining the significance of the initiative, Sumeet Singh said pension is a vital social security benefit for employees who have completed a minimum of ten years of eligible service. He noted that retirees earlier faced delays due to procedural and documentation-related issues, which Prayaas seeks to eliminate by ensuring pension commencement from the day following retirement.

The successful rollout of the Prayaas scheme in Jammu and Kashmir highlights EPFO’s efforts to improve service delivery, strengthen social security mechanisms and ensure dignity and financial security for retiring employees.

Meanwhile, under the leadership of Kumar Rohit, the zone has also launched the Sugam Smart Pension Samadhan initiative, aimed at addressing issues that often lead to claim rejections. The programme seeks to ensure settlement of Form 10D pension claims within three days, reinforcing EPFO’s commitment to a seamless and stress-free retirement process for pensioners.