The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched an information and enrolment stall at Kisama during the ongoing Hornbill Festival, aiming to increase awareness and enrolment in social security schemes among Nagaland’s working population.
Officials noted that EPF coverage in the State remains “extremely low” despite multiple benefits and new incentives introduced by the Central Government.
Speaking to the media, Samuel Das, Regional PF Commissioner-II, EPFO SSO Dimapur, said the initiative stemmed from the observation that awareness levels in Nagaland are significantly lower compared to other states. Despite a population of around 22 lakh, Nagaland currently has only about 15,000 EPF members, a gap the organisation is now determined to bridge, he stated.
Das explained that the EPF scheme, established under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, initially covered factory workers but has since expanded to include non-factory establishments such as NGOs, societies, private hospitals, schools, MSMEs and small-scale industries. He highlighted that EPF offers the highest interest rate on provident fund savings, monthly pension benefits for members and dependants, and insurance coverage up to ₹7 lakh.
While many private employers in the State are willing to provide EPF benefits, Das noted a concerning reluctance among workers to enrol. “Social security is their right,” he said, emphasizing that the Act is grounded in constitutional principles focused on citizens’ welfare.
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Das also spotlighted new incentives under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PMVBRY), effective from August 1, 2025. Under this scheme, first-time EPF members are eligible to receive up to ₹15,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), while employers hiring them can receive up to ₹3,000 per month for two years.
Additionally, the Employee Enrolment Campaign 2025, active from November 1, allows establishments that had not previously registered to enrol retrospectively from July 2017. The employee’s share of past contributions is waived, while employers may deposit their share without penalties except for a token amount of ₹100, though interest remains applicable. Das described it as a “major opportunity” for long-standing organisations hesitant about joining due to arrears.
He urged employers to make use of this limited window, warning that non-compliance would become “painful” once penalties resume after the campaign’s closure. Visitors at Kisama are being offered on-the-spot guidance at the EPFO stall, supported by dedicated high-speed connectivity.
Das further noted that EPFO services include withdrawal facilities for emergencies, such as marriage or medical needs, and digital life certificate options, which allow pensioners to authenticate documents using their mobile phones without visiting banks.
With this initiative, the EPFO team aims to bring Nagaland’s workforce into the mainstream of social security awareness and ensure that every working citizen in the State receives the benefits guaranteed under law.
