The Ministry of Labour and Employment has instructed the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to initiate a campaign to activate the Universal Account Number (UAN) for employees using Aadhaar-based OTP verification. According to a ministry release on Thursday, the directive aims to expand access to EPFO services and ensure the effective implementation of government schemes.
EPFO will engage its zonal and regional offices to maximize outreach. The initiative aligns with the Union Budget 2024-25 announcements, particularly the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, which seeks to benefit the largest possible number of employers and employees.
Aadhaar Authentication for Transparent Welfare Delivery
To enhance efficiency and transparency, the Central Government has mandated ministries and departments to adopt the Aadhaar Payment Bridge for subsidy and incentive disbursements under welfare schemes. Aadhaar’s use as a primary identity document simplifies government delivery systems, eliminates the need for multiple identity proofs, and ensures seamless benefits distribution through biometric authentication.
Timeline for UAN Activation
Under this initiative, employers must activate UANs for all employees who joined during the current financial year by November 30, 2024, starting with the most recent hires. Subsequently, the process must be extended to cover all existing employees.
UAN activation enables employees to access EPFO’s digital services, including:
- Managing Provident Fund (PF) accounts.
- Viewing and downloading PF passbooks.
- Submitting online claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers.
- Updating personal details.
- Tracking claims in real time.
This ensures employees can access EPFO services anytime, eliminating the need for physical office visits.
Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme Details
As announced in the Union Budget, the government will roll out three Employment Linked Incentive schemes under the Prime Minister’s package. These schemes will focus on:
- Recognizing first-time employees.
- Providing support to both employees and employers.
- Encouraging EPFO enrollment.
The ELI Scheme is projected to create over 2 crore jobs within two years, significantly boosting employment opportunities and improving livelihoods across the country.
The ministry’s directive and the Aadhaar-linked UAN activation effort underline the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient welfare delivery and fostering job creation in India.