CHAPTER – XI

RITES CONTRIBUTORY PROVIDENT FUND RULES Chapter I

1. Short title and commencement:

I. These Rules may be called THE RITES CONTRIBUTORY PROVIDENT FUND RULES, 1977.

II. These rules shall be deemed to have come into force on and from Ist of July, 1974.

III. This Trust and Rules are irrevocable.

IV. The object of the Fund is to provide adequate security to the employees in old age and infirmity and Family Pension benefit to them and/or their family on their retirement from service or death under the ACT.

2. Definitions

In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires

a) Act means, Employee’s Provident Funds and Misc. Provisions Act, 1952.

b) Apprentice means, a person who is declared to be apprentice by the Authority specified in this behalf by the appropriate Government;

c) Annual accretion in relation to the balance to the credit of a member means the increase to such balance in any year, arising from contribution and interest;

d) Accumulated balance due to a member means the balance to his credit, or such portion thereof as may be claimable by him under the Rules of the Fund, on the day he ceases to be an employee;

e) Authorised officer means the Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Dy. Provident Fund Commissioner, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner or such other officer as may be authorised by the Central Government by notification in the official gazette;

f) Basic wages means all emoluments which are earned by an employee while on duty or (on leave or on holidays with wages in either case) in accordance with the terms of the contract of employment and which are paid or payable in cash to him, but does not include

a. The cash value of any food concessions;

b. Any dearness allowance (that is to say, all cash payments by whatever name called paid to an employee on account of a rise in the cost of living), house rent allowance, bonus, commission or any other similar allowance payable to the employee in respect of his employment or of work done in such employment.

c. Any present made by the employer;

g) Balance means the total amount to the credit of individual l account of a member in the Fund at any time;

h) “Board” means the Board of Trustees constituted for administering the Fund under these Rules;

i) “Chairman “ means the Chairman of the Board of Trustees;

j) “Commissioner” means a Commissioner for Employees Provident Funds appointed under Section 5D of the Employees Provident Funds &Misc. Provisions Act 1952 and includes a Dy. Provident Fund Commissioner and Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

k) “Company “ means the RITES Ltd.

l) “Continuous service” means uninterrupted service and includes service which is interrupted by sickness, accident, authorised leave, strike which is not illegal or cessation of work not due to the employee’s fault;

m) “Contribution” means a contribution payable in respect of a member of the fund;

n) “Children” means legitimate children and includes adopted children if the chairman of the trust is satisfied that under the personal law of the employee, adoption of such a child is legally recognized

o) “Deputationist” means person who is on deputation with the company from the central Government, any State Government or any Public Sector Undertaking who is governed by the Provident Fund Rules or Scheme of his parent organization during the period of deputation;

p) “Employee” means any person who is employed for wages in any kind of work, manual or otherwise, in or in connection with the work of the company, and who gets his wages directly or indirectly from the company, and includes any person-

i. employed by or through a Contractor or in connection with the work of the Company;

ii. engaged as an apprentice, not being an apprentice engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961 or under the standing orders of the Company;

q) “Employer” means RITES Ltd.; & its Managing Director for the time being in position;

r) “Employers contribution” means and includes contribution made by the Company to the member’s Provident Fund Account;

s) “Employees Pension Scheme” means the Employees Pension Scheme 1995 framed under Section 6A of the Employees Provident Funds & Misc. Provisions Act, 1952 as amended as ‘Employees Provident Fund Scheme - 2003.’

t) “Family” means;

(i). in the case of a male member, his wife, his children, whether married or unmarried, his dependent parents, and the widow and children of his deceased son. Provided that if a member proves that his wife has been judicially separated from him and has ceased under the personal law governing him or the customary law of the community to which the spouses belong, to be entitled to maintenance, she shall no longer be deemed to be a part of the member’s family for the purpose of these Rules, unless the member subsequently intimates by express notice in writing to the Board of Trustees that she shall continue to be so regarded; and

(ii). In the case of the female member, her husband and her children, whether married or unmarried, her dependent parents, her husband’s dependent parents and her deceased son’s widow and children

Provided that if a member, by notice in writing to the Board to Trustees expresses her desire to exclude her husband and his dependent parents from the family, her husband and his dependents shall no longer be deemed to be a part of the members family for the purpose of these rules, unless the member subsequently cancels in writing any such notice.

In either of the above two cases, if the child of a member or as the case may be the child of a deceased son of the member has been adopted by another person and if, under the personal law of the adopter, adoption is legally recognized, such a child shall be considered as excluded from the family of the member.

u) “Financial Year” means the year commencing on the First day of April and ending with 31st day of March;

v) “Fund” means the RITES Contributory Provident Fund established under these Rules;

w) “Government Security” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Public Debts Act 1944 ( 18 of 1944)

x) “Inspector” means a person appointed as such under Section 13 of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Misc. Provisions Act 1952;

y) “Member” means a member of the Fund;

z) “Rules” means the rules for the time being in force relating to the Fund;

aa) “Secretary” means Secretary to the Board of Trustees;

ab) “Scheme” means the Employees Provident Fund scheme framed under Section 5 of the Act.

ac) “Trust” means Trust under which the Fund is established and a Trustee means a member of the Board of Trustees;

Any other expression, which is applied under these Rules, but not defined herein but defined either in the Act or the Scheme framed there under shall have the same meaning as is give to it therein. 3. Establishment of the fund : The fund shall be deemed to have been established on and from the 1st July, 1977, pursuant to a resolution of the Directors of the company passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors held on 23rd June, 1977 in exercise of the authority conferred on the Directors by Articles 51 (17) of the Articles of Association of the Company. 4. Interpretation and amendment of rules. 1) The fund shall be governed by these Rules as amended from time to time. If any matter arises for

interpretation of these Rules, then shall be referred to the Board whose decision shall be final.

Provided that any dispute between the Board and the Members regarding the interpretation of these Rules, shall be referred to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner for his decision, which shall be final and binding upon both the parties.

2) The Board of Directors may after consulting the Board of Trustees and subject to the approval of the Regional Fund Commissioner repeal, add to, vary or alter these Rules and frame such other Rules as may be considered necessary. Provided that no such repeal, addition variation or alteration shall have retrospective affect.

3) In respect of matters, in regard to which these Rules are silent, the provisions of the Employee’s Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, shall prevail

Further, if any, of the these Rules is not beneficial and or in conflict with the provisions of the Employee’s Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 , the later shall prevail. The question whether a particular Rule is beneficial or not shall be decided by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner whose decision will be final.

(1). Membership I. Every employee employed in or in connection with the work of the Company shall be entitled and required to

become a member of the Fund from the date of appointment in the organization wef 1.11.1990 and on completion of eligibility period prior to 1.11.90.

II. Every employee who is a member of a private Provident Fund maintained in respect of an exempted factory of other establishment to which Act applies and continued as a member of the Fund, shall on joining the Company, become a member of the Fund forthwith.

(2). Declaration The company shall before taking any person into employment, ask him to state in writing, whether or not he is a member of any Provident Fund and if he is, ask for the Account No. and/or the name and particulars of last employer. If he is unable to furnish the Account No, it shall require such person to furnish and any such person, shall, on demand, furnish the particulars regarding himself and his nominee required for the Declaration Form. The Company shall enter the particulars in the Declaration Form and obtain the signature or thumb impression of the person concerned. (3). Transfer of Accounts Where an employee employed in an Establishment, to which the P.F Act applies leaves his employment and obtains re-employment in another Establishment to which Act does not apply or vice versa, the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee shall be transferred to the credit of his account of the Establishment in which he is re-employed, if the employee so desires. (4). Retention of membership A member of the Fund shall continue to be a member until he withdraws under Rule 12 the amount standing to his credit in the Fund.

Explanation

In case of claim for refund by a member under Rule 12, the membership of the Fund shall be deemed to have been terminated from the date the payment is authorised to him by the Authority irrespective of the date of claim.

(5). Resolution of doubts

If any question arises whether an employee is entitled or required to become or continue as a member, or as regards the date from which he is so entitled or required

to become a member, the decision thereon of the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Delhi shall be final;

Provided that both the employer and the employee have been heard.

6.A. Rate of Contribution

1) The contributions payable by the Employee to the Fund shall be at the rate prescribed from time to time i.e. 12% (wef 01.06.89) of the basic wages and dearness allowance (including the cash value of any food concessions) and retaining allowance if any payable to each employee who is eligible for membership of the fund.

2) The contribution payable by the Employer shall be equal to the contribution payable by the employee.

3) The contribution shall be calculated on the basis of basic wages, dearness allowance (including the cash value of any food concession & retaining allowance if any) actually drawn during the whole month whether paid on daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

4) Each contribution shall be calculated to the nearest rupee, 50 paise and above to be counted as the next higher rupee and fraction of rupee less than 50 paise to be ignored.

6.B. Payment of contribution

1) It shall be the responsibility of the principal employer to pay both, the contribution payable by himself and also on behalf of a member employed by him directly or by through a contractor and also inspection charges on the same.

2) The amount of contribution and any charges for meeting the cost of administering the funds payable by Company in respect of any member employed by or through contractor may be recovered by Company from the contractor, either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.

3) Contractor from whom the amount mentioned in sub section (2) is recovered may recover the employee’s contribution from such employee by deduction from the basic wages, dearness allowance ( including the cash value of the food concession) and retaining allowance if any payable to such employee.

6.C. Recovery of member’s share/contribution

1) The amount of a Member’s contribution paid by the Company or by a contractor shall, notwithstanding the provisions in these Rules, or any law for the time being in force or any Contract to the contrary, be recoverable by means of deduction from wages of the member and not otherwise.

Provided that no such deduction may be made from any wages other than that which is paid in respect of the period or part of the period in respect of which the contribution is payable. Provided further that the company or a contractor shall be entitled to recover the employee’s share from wages other than that which is paid in respect of the period for which the contribution has been paid or is payable where the employee has in writing given a false declaration at the time of joining service with the Company or a contractor regarding his last establishments. Provided further that where no such deduction has been made on account of an accidental mistake or a clerical error, such deduction may be made from the subsequent wages.

2) Deduction made from the wages of a member paid on daily, weekly or fortnightly basis should be totalled up to indicate the monthly deductions.

3) Any such deducted by the Company or contractor from the wages of an employee under these rules shall be deemed to have been entrusted to him for the purpose of payment the contribution in respect of which it was deducted.

6.D. Company’s share not be deducted from members. NOTWITHSTANDING any contract to the contrary, the Company or a contractor shall not be entitled to deduct the Company’s contribution from the wages of a member or otherwise to recover it from him. 6.E. Payment of contribution by Company The contribution of the members collected by the Company shall be paid by the Company alongwith the Company’s contribution to the Trust within 15 days of the close of each month.

Provided that if a member quits service or dies, the Company’s contribution for the period between the preceding month and the date of quitting the service or death as the case may be shall be paid to the Trustees within 15 days of the event.

If the Company fails to pay the contribution within the time limits as aforesaid to the Trustees, it shall be liable to pay simple interest as well as may be prescribed by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner from time to time in the same manner in which the un -exempted establishments are liable to pay under similar circumstances. 6.F. Contribution to Family Pension Fund 1) From and out of the contributions payable by the company and the employees in each month, a part of the contribution, representing 1-1/6% of the employee’s pay alongwith an equivalent amount of 1-1/6% from and out of the company’s contribution shall be remitted by the company to the Family Pension Fund by a separate Bank Draft or cheque on the account of Family Pension Fund

Contribution in such manner as may be specified in this behalf by the Commissioner. The cost of the remittance , if any, shall be borne by the Company

2) The contributions payable under sub para (1) shall be calculated on the basis of the basic wages, dearness allowance (including the cash value of any food concession) and retaining allowance, if any actually drawn during the whole month whether paid on daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, and the contributions payable under sub para (2) shall be calculated on the basic wages, dearness allowance ( including the cash value or any food concession) and retaining allowance, if any drawn during a whole month immediately preceding the period of service without wages, whether paid on daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

CHAPTER II 7. Management of the Fund 1) The custody, control and management of the Fund shall be vested in a Board of Trustees, constituted

by the Company.

2) The Board of Trustees shall consist of four trustees, of whom two shall be representatives of the Company to be nominated by it from amongst officers employed in managerial or administrative capacity in the Company including one employed in managerial or administrative capacity in the Company including one from the Finance & accounts Division, who shall act as the Secretary to the Board and two representatives of the employees of the Company. The Rules for constitution of the Board of Trustees shall be as contained in Rul e B of these Rules.

3) The Board of Trustees shall have power to employ any person (including one or more of their members) to do any secretarial, legal, accountancy or other work, which they may consider necessary or expedient in connection with the management of the Fund.

4) Any two trustees, including one representative of the employees shall act jointly, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and operate on the accounts of the Fund with Banks and discharge, receive or otherwise dispose of, as may be necessary, Government promissory Notes, Securities, interest warrants, etc. relating to the Fund, and shall on behalf of the Board, reassign to members in accordance with the Rules provided hereinafter, Life Insurance polices which the members might have assigned to the Board as Security for payment or withdrawals from the Fund. Similarly, all correspondence in relation to the amendment of the Fund, receipts for the money received by Trust including purchase, Sale, Transfer endows, draws interest negotiation or deal with the Central Government and other securities or any documents to be executed on behalf of Fund shall be

done by any two trustees authorised by Board, one of them being the employee’s trustee.

5) All moneys contributed to the Fund, that is to say, the contribution by the members and by the Company as provided for hereinbefore, and accruing to the Fund by way of interest or otherwise shall be deposited in the saving bank account in Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India or in such other scheduled banks as may be approved by Central Government from time to time in the name of the Fund or shall be invested within 2 weeks of the receipt from the Company subject to such directions as the Central Government may give from time to time in the securities as per the pattern of investment as may be prescribed by Central Government from time to time retaining only the bear minimum amount required for grant of advances and settlement of provident fund accounts of outgoing members.

6) Conversion or re-conversion of securities shall be made only as per the directions of Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and in the name of the Fund

7) The securities shall be obtained in the name of Board and shall be kept in the custody of Reserve Bank of India.

8) Failure to make investments as per directions of Government shall make the Board separately or jointly liable to surcharge as may be imposed by the Central Provident Fund Commissioner.

9) The Board shall maintain script wise registers of the securities and ensure timely realization of interest and redemption of proceeds.

10) All expenses of administering the Fund including the maintenance of Accounts submission of accounts and returns, transfer of accumulations, inspection charges, bank charges including the Trustee’s remuneration and all expenses incurred by the Trustees in the discharge of their duties shall be reimbursed and paid by the Company. The Company shall also make good any other loss that may be caused to the PF due to theft, burglary, defaultation, misappropriation or any other reason.

11) The Board of Trustees may from time to time withdraw from the Fund such sum or sums as may be required for the purpose of the Funds and raise any money so required by sale, of the investments held by them or of a sufficient part thereof with prior written approval of Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

8. Board of Trustees 1. Constitution of the Board of Trustees.

There shall be a Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the Board ) constituted in the manner provided as under:

A. Number of Members

The Board shall consist of an equal number of representatives of the company and the employees. The number of trustees on the Board shall be so fixed as to afford, as far as possible, representation to employees in various branches/departments of the Company

Provided that the number of trustees on the Board shall be neither less than four nor more than twelve.

B. Company’s representatives

The company shall nominate its representatives from amongst the offers employed in managerial or administrative capacity in the company.

C. Employee’s representatives

The representatives of the employees shall be elected by the members of the Fund in an election to be held for the purpose of any working day. An outgoing trustee shall be eligible fort re-election or re-nomination, as the case may be.

D. Procedure for Election

i) Notice for election

The employer shall fix a date for receiving the nominations from candidates for election as Employee’s representatives. He shall also fix a date for the withdrawal of nominations and the date of election which shall not be earlier than three days or later than ten days after the closing date for withdrawal of nominations. The date so fixed shall be notified to the members at least seven days in advance. The notice shall also specify the number of seats to be filled by the employee’s representatives. A copy of such notice shall be sent to the recognized Trade Unions in the Company and to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. The election notices and procedure shall be published/conducted in Regional languages besides English.

ii) Nomination of Candidates.

Nomination shall be made in Form A annexed to these rules. Each nomination paper shall be signed by the candidate to whom it relates and attested by at least two members of the Fund, other than the proposer and shall be delivered to the Employer before or on the closing date fixed by receiving the nominations.

iii) Scrutiny of nomination papers

The employer shall scrutinize the nomination papers on the date following the last date fixed for withdrawing the nomination papers. The candidate or his nominee , the propser or the attesting members may be present if they so desire. The invalid nomination papers shall be rejected.

(iv) Voting in election

1. If the number of candidates whose nomination has been found valid, is equal to the number of seats, the candidates shall forthwith be declared duly elected.

2. If the number of candidates is more than the number of seats, voting shall take place on the date fixed for election.

3. The election shall be conducted by the employer in the presence of an officer deputed by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

4. Each member of the Fund shall have as many votes as there are seats to be filled in. Provided that each such member shall be entitled to cast only one vote in favour of any one candidate.

5. The voting shall be by secret ballot.

E. Filling up of casual vacancies.

In the event of a trustee, elected or nominated, ceases to be a trustee during the tenure of the Board, his successor shall be elected or nominated, as the case may be in the prescribed manner.Provided that the Trustee(s) so elected, shall hold office only for the unexpired term of the Board of Trustees.

F. Term of the office of trustees :

I. Board of Trustees once notified as constituted shall have a term of office of at least five years before it vacates office provided that a Board shall continue in office till the next Board takes over.

II. The term of the trustees representing employees shall also be 5 years from the date on which their appointment is notified.

III. Provided that any such trustee shall notwithstanding the expiry of the said period continue to hold office till appointment of his successor is notified.

IV. The Trustee appointed to fill up a casual vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of trustee in whose place he is appointed and shall continue to hold office on the expiry of the term of office until the appointment of his successor is notified.

V. An out-going trustee shall be eligible for re-appointment.

2. Meeting of the Board

I. The Board of Trustees shall meet at such place and time as may be decided by the Chairman.

II. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least once in every three months.

III. The Chairman may, whenever, he feels reasonable, within fifteen days of the receipt of a requisition in writing from not less than two members of the Board, call a meeting of the Board.

3. Notice of meeting & list of business.

Notice of not less than 15 days, indicating the date, time and place of meeting together with a list of business to be conducted at the meeting, shall be sent to each trustee. Provided that when the Chairman calls a meeting for considering any matter which in his opinion is urgent, a notice giving such reasonable time as he may consider necessary shall be deemed sufficient.

4. Chairman to preside at meetings

The company shall nominate one of its representatives on the Board to be the Chairman thereof. The Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the Board at which he is present. If the Chairman is absent at any time, the trustees present shall elect one of themselves to preside over the meeting, and the trustee so elected shall exercise all the powers of the Chairman at the meeting, in the event of equality of votes, the Chairman shall exercise a casting vote.

5. Quorum

1. At any meeting of the Board, majority may be treated as quorum provided however one trustee is from the employees’ side. Any decision taken at a meeting of the Trustees in which quorum is satisfied will be deemed to be the decision of the Board and will be final and binding.

2. If at any meeting the number of trustees present is less than the required quorum, the chairman shall adjourn the meeting to a date not later than, seven days from the date of the original meeting informing the Trustees of the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting and it shall thereupon be lawful to dispose the business at such adjourned meeting irrespective of the number of Trustees present.

6. Disposal of business

Each issue considered at a meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes of the trustees present and voting. In the event of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a costing vote.

Any such matter shall be decided in accordance with the opinion of the majority of trustees allowed and if the opinion is equally divided, the opinion of chairman shall prevail.

Provided further that any trustees may request that the matter referred to the trustees for written opinion be considered at a meeting of the Board and thereupon the chairman, may and if the request is made by not less than two trustees, shall direct that it be so considered.

7. Minutes of the meeting

The secretary of the Board of Trustees shall maintain record of the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The record of the minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Chairman after confirmation, with such modification, if any, as may be considered necessary at the next meeting. The minutes of meeting shall be circulated within 3 days of the meeting. The Secretary shall take necessary steps for carrying out the decisions of the Board.

8. Act of the board not invalid by reason merely of any vacancy in or defect in the constitution etc.

No act or proceeding of the Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason merely of any vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of the Board.

9. Indemnification

In the discharge of their duties in the administration of the Find, the Trustees shall be idemnified by the Company against all proceedings costs, damages, charges, expenses, claims, demands, losses and liability caused otherwise than through their or his own negligence or fraud.

10. Resignation

A trustee may resign by a latter in writing addressed to the Chairman and his post shall fall vacant from the date on which resignation is accepted.

11. Cessation and restoration of trusteeship

A trustee shall cease to be a member of the Board

I. If he fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of the Board without obtaining leave of the absence from the Chairman unless it is satisfied that there were reasonable grounds for the absence;

II. If he ceases to be employee of the Company;

III. Or ceases to be member of PF of Company;

IV. If he is nominee or representative of the recognised Union and Union ceases to be a representative or recognised union;

V. Incur any of the disqualification mentioned in Rule 12, as follows:-

12. Disqualification from trusteeship

1. A person shall be disqualified for being nominated as or for being a trustee:

I. If he is declared to be of unsound mind by competent court; or

II. If he is an un-discharged insolvent; or

III. If before or after the commencement of these rules he has been convinced of an offense involving moral turpitude; or

IV. If he as an employer in relation to an exempted establishment or an establishment to which the scheme applies has defaulted in the Payment of any dues to the Board of the Statutory Fund recoverable from him under the Provident Fund Act or the Scheme or under these Rules.

2. If any question arises whether any person is disqualified under Sub para (1) it shall be referred to the Central Government and the decision of the Government on any such question shall be final.

13. Removal from trusteeship

The Chairman may remove any trustee of the Board:

I. If in his opinion such trustee has ceased to represent the interest which he purports to represent on the Board; or

II. If he as an employer, has defaulted in the payment of any dues to the Fund recoverable from him under the PF Act or the Scheme.

Provided that no such trustee shall be removed unless a reasonable opportunity is given to such trustee and the body whom he represents, of making any representation against the proposed action.

14. Absence from India

1. Before a non-official trustee leaves India

a) he shall intimate to the Chairman, of the dates of his departure from and expected return to India, or

b) If he intends to absent himself for a period longer than 6 months, shall tender his resignation.

2. If any trustee leaves India for a period of 6 months or more without intimation to the Chairman he shall be deemed to have resigned from the Board of Trustees.

15. Nomination of substitute during the absence of a trustee:

(1) If a trustee is unable to attend any meeting of a the Board, he may, by a written instrument signed by him, addressed to Chairman of Board, and explaining the reasons for his inability to attend the meting, appoint any representatives as his substitute for attending that meeting of the Board in his place. provide that no such appointment shall be valid unless:

I. Such appointment has been approved by the Chairman of the Board ; and

II. the instrument making such appointment has been received by the Chairman before the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) A substitute validly appointed under Sub-para (1) shall have the rights and powers of a trustee in relation to the meting of Board in respect of which he is appointed and shall receive allowances and be under obligations as if he was a trustee appointed under the rules.

(3) A trustee appointing a substitute for attending any meeting of the Board, shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this para, continue to be liable for the misappropriation or misapplication of the Fund by the substitute and shall also be liable for any act of misfeasance or no-feasance committed in relation to the Fund by the substitute appointment by him

16. Guidelines for the functioning of board of trustees. The trustees shall strictly follow guidelines prescribed by Government of India for functioning of Board of Trustees;

(1) The trustees when elected should ensure that there is a proper trust-deed registered.

(2) The Board of Trustees shall meet at least once in every three months.

(3) No business shall be transacted at a meeting of the Board of trustees unless at least four trustees of the Board are present, of whom at least one should be from employer’s side and one from the employee’s side.

(4) Monthly return submitted to the Regional Commissioner should be placed before the meeting for scrutiny of the trustees. The trustees attending the meeting should affix their signature as a proof of their scrutiny. Their views on the returns should be recorded in the minutes of meeting.

(5) The trustees should ensure that the rules of exempted Provident Fund must require approval of all loans by at least two trustees and in case of a large organization with major plants/offices in different locations, the trustees may be allowed to delegate approval of loans to two managers, one of whom may be a personnel/labour officer ( and in his absence an Accounts Officer). Such

delegations should be by name of the manager/officer and not to be specified positions and the trustees must satisfy that the authorised manager/officer is well informed and kept advised about applicable regulations.

(6) Similarly settlement of accounts (including transfer of accumulation to another provident fund) should require authorization of at least two trustees. All settlement should be specifically checked by the auditors of the fund

(7) The Board of Trustees, wherever the amount of Provident fund has not been transferred by the employers to the Board of Trustees shall pass a resolution to the effect and forward it to the employer and the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

(8) The trustees should examine if the amount shown as transferred in the return has in effect been transferred and credited to the Bank account of the fund. Specific mention of this scrutiny and the findings should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(9) The trustees should also ensure whether the amount shown as invested in the last monthly return has in effect been invested and record a certificate to that effect in the minutes.

(10) Once in every year the securities should be scrutinised by the trustees and their findings recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(11) The report of the Provident Fund Inspector and the correspondence relating to the trust funds between the employer and Regional Provident Fund Commissioner should be placed before the meeting of Trustees and their views recorded in the minutes.

(12) Within six months of the close of financial year the employer should place the Audited Balance Sheet of the trust before the trustees.

(13) The trustees shall, before the close of the financial year, declare the rate of interest for the succeeding year.

(14) Along with the Balance Sheet the Chairman should also furnish an annual report to the trustees for their consideration and adoption

(15) The Balance Sheet and the Annual Report, after their approval by trustees, should be forwarded to the concerned Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, recognised Union/Association of Employees.

(16) All complaints received from the subscribers should be examined by the Board of Trustees.

(17) The Board of Trustees shall fix a grievance day once in a month

(18) The Board of Trustees shall have a separate Notice Board of their own and display important decisions, amendments, etc. on it. Wherever non-transfer/non-investment occurs the same should be displayed for the knowledge of the subscribers.

(19) The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the issuance of Annual Statement of Accounts, Settlement of Claims , sanction of advances; etc.

(20) The Annual Report shall contain the following:- I. The total number of employees of the establishment in each category of work at the beginning of the

year, fresh recruitments made/number of employees left during the year, the total number of subscribers at the beginning of the year, the additions during the year and the total number of subscribers at the close of the year.

II. The names; addresses of the Board of Trustees.

III. Total amount of accumulation in the trust with figures at lease for the past two years.

IV. Total amount transferred to the fund (with figures of the last year)

V. The rate of interest and total amount of interest debited/credited to the fund.

VI. Investments made during the year; Details of the securities to be shown.

VII. Claims settled and rejected with the amount sanctioned, loan applications sanctioned/rejected and the amount distributed.

VIII. Balance Sheet, Income and Expenditure Account.

IX. Constitution-constitution of the Board of Trustees, Number of meetings held during the year and salient decisions.

X. Whether the month/annual returns etc. have been submitted to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner in time or not. If not, reasons, for the same.

XI. A statement to the effect as to whether all the conditions of exemption have been complied with.

XII. The justification and explanation of the Board in respect of qualifying remarks given by the auditors.

XIII. The number of applications for transfer of accounts and their disposal.

XIV. The position regarding, issuance of Annual statement of Accounts, the arrears, if any, and the reasons for the same.

XV. The number of inspections carried out and the salient remarks, if any.

21. The Annual report and Accounts of the Provident Fund Trust should be exhibited on Notice Boards of all offices and factories for a minimum period of thirty days.

22. The Provident Fund money kept aside for obligatory payments towards settlement of claims and grant of advances to the members may be kept deposited in the Savings account operated in any Scheduled Bank in the name of the Fund, to be operated jointly by the trustees authorised by the Board, one of them being the employees representative.

CHAPTER III

9. Accounts and Audit.

1) The Board of Trustees shall maintain the account in such a manner as the Board may, from time to time, decide.

2) INTEREST SUSPENSE A/C - All interest and other income realized and net profits or losses, if any, from the sale or investment not included therein, the transaction of the Administration account, shall be credited or debited as the case may be to an account called the Interest Suspense A/c . Brokerage and Commission on the purchase and sale of securities and other investments, shall be included in the purchase or sale price as the case may be and not separately charged to the Interest Suspense A/c.

3) At the end of the Financial Year, an Income and Expenditure Account together with a balance sheet of the assets and liabilities shall be laid before the Board at the meeting to be held within six months of the close of the Financial year. For the purpose of Balance Sheet, the Securities shall be valued at the cost price i.e. the price at which they were purchased.

4) The account of the PF maintained by Board of Trustees shall be subject to audit by a qualified independent Chartered Accountant annually. Where considered necessary, the CPFC shall have the right to have the accounts re-audited by any other authorised Auditors and the expenses so incurred shall be borne by the Company.

5) Within 6 months of close of a financial year, the Trustees shall furnish to each member a statement of his account in the Fund as appearing in the Books of Account. The members shall satisfy themselves as to the correctness of the annual statement of their accounts in the Fund and shall bring to the notice of the trustees any errors they may notice in it within six months of the receipt of the statement.

10. Interest

1) The rate of interest to be credited to the Member’s account in the Fund shall be determined by the Board of Trustees each year with reference to the net income on the investments of the Fund.

2) Provided that the interest to be credited to the Member’s account in any year shall not be less than the rate of interest declared by the Employees Provident Fund Organization. If for any reason, the Board are unable to pay interest at the rate declared by Central Government in respect of an exempted establishment, then the deficiency shall be made good by the Company.

(a) Interest calculated at the rates determined in terms of sub-rule (1) shall be credited on the opening balance standing to the credit of the member on 1 st day of April falling within the period of currency. The credit shall be afforded separately to the Company’s contribution and to the Member’s contribution.

b) In case of claim for refund, interest shall be payable upto the end of the month preceding the date on which the final payment is authorised irrespective of the date of receipt of the claim from the claimant concerned.

c) Provided that interest upto and for the current month shall be payable on the claims which are authorised on or after the 25th day of a particular month along with actual payment after the end of current month.

d) Provided further that the rate of interest to be allowed on claims for refund for the broken currency period shall be at the rate fixed for the financial year in which the refund is authorised.

e) The total amount of interest shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

2 The aggregate amount of interest credited to the accounts of the members shall be debited to Interest Suspense Account

3 In determining the rate of interest the Board shall satisfy itself that there is no over drawal on the “Interest Suspense A/c” as a result of the debit thereto of the interest credited to the accounts of members.

11. Declaration & Nomination

1. Each member shall make his declaration in form “B” a nomination conferring the right to receive the amount that may stand to his credit in the fund in the event of his death before the amount standing to his credit has become payable, or where the amount has become payable before payment has been made.

2. An employee may be allowed by the trustees of the Provident Fund to make a nomination at his discretion conferring on one or more persons the right to receive the amount.

3. If an employee nominates more than one person under sub-rule (1), he shall, in his nomination, specify the amount or share payable to each of the nominees in such manner as to cover the whole of the amount that may stand to his credit in the Provident Fund

4. If an employee has a family at the time of making nomination, the nomination shall be in favour of one or more persons belonging to his family. Any nomination made by an employee in favour of a person not belonging to his family shall be invalid.

5. If, at the time of making a nomination the employee has no family, the nomination may be in favour of any person or 0ersons but ifr the employee subsequently acquires a family, such nomination shall forthwith be deemed to be invalid and the employee may be allowed to make a fresh nomination in favour of one or more persons belonging to his family.

5)(1) Where the nomination is wholly or partly in favour of a minor, the member may, for the purposes of these rules, appoint a major person of his family as defined in clause (t) of rule 2, to be the guardian of the minor nominee in the event of the member predeceasing the nominee and the guardian so appointed.

Provided that where there is no major person in the family, the member may, at his discretion, appoint any other person to be a guardian of the minor nominee.

6. A nomination made under sub para (1) by an employee may, at any time, be modified by him after giving a written notice to the trustees of his intention of doing so in Form “C” or in a form as near thereto as may be. If the nominee predeceases the employee the interest of nominee shall revert to the employee, predeceases the employee the interest of nominee shall revert to the employee, who may thereupon make a fresh nomination in respect of such interest.

7. A nomination or its modification shall take effect to the extent that it is valid on the date on which it is received by the trustees.

12. Circumstances in which payment of accumulations in the fund is payable

(1) (a) A member may withdraw the full amount standing to his credit in the Fund immediately;

On retirement from service after attaining the age of 58 years, provided that a member, who has not attained the age of 58 years at the time of termination of his service, shall also be entitled to withdraw the full amount standing to his credit in the Fund.

(b) On retirement on account of permanent and total incapacity for work due to bodily or mental infirmity duly certified by a registered medical practitioner designated by the Company;

(b) Immediately before migration from India for permanent settlement abroad, or for taking employment abroad;

c) On termination of service in the case of mass or individual retrenchment.

d) On termination of service under a voluntary scheme of retirement framed by the Company and the employee under a mutual agreement specifying, inter-alia that notwithstanding the provisions contained in sub-clause (a) of clause (oo) of the section 2 of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947, excluding voluntary retirement from the scope of definition of “RETRENCHMENT’ such voluntary retirements shall, for the purpose be treated as retrenchments by mutual consent of the parties.

e) In any of the following contingencies, provided the actual payment shall be made only after completing a continuous period not less than 2 months immediately preceding the date on which an employee makes the application for withdrawan.

I. Where company is closed but certain employees who are not retrenched are transferred by the employer to other Company not covered under the Act.

II. Where a member is transferred from this Company to other establishment not covered under the Act but is under the same employer.

III. Where an employee is discharged and is given retrenchment compensation under the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 (14 of 1947)

(1.A) For the purpose of clause (b) of sub-paragraph (1)

(i) Where an establishment has been closed, the certificate of any registered medical practitioner may be accepted;

(ii) Where there is no medical officer in the establishment, the employer shall designate a registered medical practitioner stationed in the vicinity of the establishment; or

(iii) Where the establishment is covered by the Employees State Insurance Scheme, medical certificate from a medical officer of the Employee’s State Insurance Dispensary with which, or from the Insurance Medical Practitioner, with whom the employee is registered under that Scheme, shall be produced:

Provided that where by mutual agreement of employer and employees a Medical Board exists for any establishment or a group of establishments, a certificate issued by such Medical Board may also be accepted for the purpose of this paragraph;

Provided further that it shall be open to the Regional PF Commissioner to demand from the member a fresh certificate from a Civil Surgeon or any doctor acting on his behalf where the original certificate produced by him gives rise to suspicion regarding its genuineness;

Provided further the entire fee of the Civil Surgeon or any doctor acting in his behalf shall be paid from the Fund in case the findings of the Civil Surgeon or any doctor acting on his behalf agree with the original certificate and that where such findings do not agree, only half of the fee shall be paid from the Fund and the remaining half shall be debited to the member’s account.

(iv) A member suffering from tuberculosis or leprosy or cancer, even if contracted after leaving the services of an establishment on grounds of illness but before payment has been authorised, shall be deemed to have been permanently and totally incapacitated for work

(2) In cases other than those specified in Sub-para (1), the employee shall be entitled to withdraw full employer’s share of PF contribution standing to his credit in the fund on ceasing to be an employee of Company.

Provided that he has not been employed in any other Company to which the Act applied for a continuous period of not less that 2 months immediately preceding the date on which he makes the application for withdrawal and the requirement of 2 months waiting period shall not apply in cases of female members, resigning from the service of the Company for the purpose of getting married.

(3) Any employee who withdraws the amount due to him under Sub-para (2) shall on obtaining re-employment in a Company to which the Scheme applies, be required to qualify again for the membership of the Fund and on qualifying for membership shall be treated as a fresh member thereof.

13. Accumulations of a deceased member to whom payable;

On the death of a member whatever his length of service before the amount standing to his/her credit has become payable or where the amount has become payable but payment has not been made:

(i) If a nomination made by the member in accordance with Rule 11 subsists, the amount standing to his credit in the Fund or that part thereof to which the nomination relates shall become payable to his nominee or nominees in accordance with such nomination; or

(ii) If no nomination subsists or if the nomination relates only to a part of the amount standing to his/her credit in the Fund the whole amount or the part thereof to which the nomination does not relate, as the case may be, shall become payable to the members of his family in equal shares;

Provided that no share shall be payable to:-

(a) Sons who have attained majority.

(b) Sons of the deceased son who have attained majority

(c) Married daughters whose husbands are alive

(d) Married daughters of a deceased son whose husbands are alive, if there is any member of the family other than those specified in Clauses (a), (b), (c) & (d).

Provided further that the widow or widows and the child or the other children of a deceased son, shall receive between them in equal parts only the share which that son would have received if he survived the member and had not attained the age of majorty at the time of the member’s death.

(iii) In any case to which the provisions of clauses (I) and (ii) do not apply, the whole amount shall be payable to the person legally entitled to it.

Explanation

For the purpose of this para a member’s posthumous child if born alive, shall be treated in the same way as a surviving child born before the member’s death.

Note : In the event of death of a member, a minimum of Rs.2,000/- will be paid to the nominee(s), even if the accumulations in the account of the member in the Fund are less that this amount.

14. Permanent withdrawal from the fund

A. Financing of Member’s Life Insurance Policies -

(1) Where a member desires that premium due on a policy of Life Insurance taken by him on his own life should be financed from his Provident Fund Account, he may apply in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees.

(2) On receipt of such application the Board may make payment on behalf of the member to the Life Insurance Corporation of India towards premium due on his policy:

Provided that no such payment shall be made unless the premium is payable yearly.

(3) Any payment made under sub-paragraph (2) shall be made out of and debited to the member’s own contribution with interest thereon standing to his credit in the Fund.

(4) No payment shall be made under sub-paragraph (2) unless the member’s own contribution in his Provident Fund Account with interest thereon is sufficient to pay the premium; and where the payment is to be made on the first premium, sufficient to pay the premium for two years.

(5) No payment shall be made towards a policy unless it is legally assignable by the member to the Board of Trustees.

(6) The Board shall before making payment in respect of existing policies, satisfy by reference to the Life Insurance Corporation that no prior assignment of the policy exists and the policy is free from all encumbrances.

(7) No educational endowment policy or marriage endowment policy shall be financed from the Fund, if such policy is due for payment, in whole or in part before the member attains the age of 58 years.

AA. Conversion of policy into a paid-up one and payment of late fee etc.-

Where a policy of Life Insurance of a member is financed from his Provident Fund Account, the board may -

(a) Convert the Insurance policy into a paid-up one when the credit in his Provident Fund on account of his share becomes inadequate for the payment of any premium;

(b) Pay late fee and interest out of the member’s own contribution in his Provident Fund Account, if any premium cannot be remitted to the Life Insurance Corporation in time because of delay in sending to the Board.

The policy assigned to the Board or any other reasons for which the member or his employer may be responsible.

AAA. Assignment of policies to the Fund.

(1) The policy shall within six months of the first payment under Paragraph 14(A), be assigned by endorsement thereon, to the Board and shall be delivered to the Board.

(2) Notice of the assignment of the policy shall be given by the member to the Life Insurance Corporation and the acknowledgement of the said notice by the Corporation shall be sent to the Board within three months of the date of assignment.

(3) The terms of the policy shall not be altered nor shall the policy be exchanged for another policy without the prior consent of the Board to whom the details of the alternation or of the new policy shall be furnished in such form as the may specify.

(4) If the policy is not assigned and delivered as required under sub-paragraph (1) or is assigned otherwise than to the Board or is charged or encumbered or lapsed, any amount paid from the fund in respect of such policy shall, with interest thereon at the rate provided under Paragraph 10, be repaid by the member forthwith to the Fund.

AAAA. Bonus on policy to be adjusted against payments made from the Fund.

(1) So long as the policy remains assigned to the Board bonus accruing on it may be drawn by the Board and adjusted against the payments made on behalf of the member under Rule 14-A.

(2) Reassignment of policies: Where the accumulations standing to the credit of the member are withdrawn under Rule 12 or when the member repays to the Fund the amounts of premium paid by the Board with interest thereon at the rate provided in Rule 10, the Board or Chairman shall reassign by endorsement thereon the policy to the member together with a signed notice or reassignment addressed to the Life Insurance Corporation.

(3) If the member dies before the policy has been reassigned under sub-paragraph (1), the Board shall reassign by endorsement thereon, the policy to the nominee of the member if a valid nomination subsists and if there be no such nominee, to such person as may be legally entitled to receive it together with a signed notice of reassignment addressed to the Life Insurance Corporation.

(4) Recovery of amounts paid towards Insurance policies

If a policy matures or otherwise falls due for payment during the currency of its assignment, the Board shall realise the amount assured together with bonus, if any, accrued thereon, place to the credit of the member the amount so realised, or the whole of the amount paid from the Fund in respect of the policy with interest thereon, whichever is less, and refund the balance, if any, to the member.

14.B. Withdrawal from the fund for the pruchase of a dwelling house/flat or for the construction of dwelling house including the acquisition of a suitable site for the purpose.

(1) The Board may on an application from a member in such form as may be prescribed and subject to the conditions prescribed in this paragraph sanction from the amount standing to the credit of the member in the fund, a withdrawal -

(a) For purchasing a dwelling house/flat, including a flat in building owned jointly with others (outright or on hire-purchase basis), or for construction of a dwelling house including the acquisition of a suitable site for the purpose from the Central Government, the State Government, a co-operative society, an institution, a trust, a local body or a housing Finance Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the agency/agencies)

OR

(b) For purchasing a dwelling site for the purpose of construction of a dwelling house or a ready built dwelling house/flat from any individual;

OR

(b b) For purchasing dwelling house, flat on ownership basis from a promoter governed by the provisions of any Flats or Apartments Ownership Act or by any other analogous or similar law of the Central Government or the State Government as may be in force in any State or area for the time being and who intends to construct or constructs dwelling house or block of flats and the member is required to pay to the said promoter in advance for financing the said construction of the house/flat.

Provided that the member has entered into an agreement with the promoter as may be required under the Flats or Apartment Ownership Act or any other analogous or similar law of the Central Government or State Government which may be in force in any State or any area and the said agreement is registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908.

OR

(c) For the construction of a dwelling house on a site owned by the member or the spouse of the member or jointly by the member and the spouse or for completing/continuing the construction of a dwelling house already commenced by the member or the spouse, on such site or for the purchase of a house/flat in the joint name of the member and the spouse under clauses (a) and (b) above.

Explanation

In this paragraph, the expression, co-operative society means a society registered or deemed to be registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912) or under any other law for the time being in force in any State relating to co-operative societies.

(2) The amount of withdrawal shall not exceed the member’s basic wages and dearness allowance for thirty six months or the member’s own share of contributions, together with that amount of the employer’s share of contributions admissible under para 12, had the member been allowed to withdraw his accumulations on the date of authorisation of payment with interest thereon or the actual cost towards the acquisition of the dwelling site together with the cost of construction thereon or the purchase of the dwelling house/flat or the construction of the dwelling house, whichever is the least.

Explanation

The actual costs towards the acquisition of the dwelling site or the purchase of dwelling house/flat shall include charges payable towards registration of such site, house or flat.

(3) (a) No withdrawal under this paragraph shall be granted unless -

(i) The member has completed five years membership of the Fund;

(ii) The member’s own share of contributions with interest thereon in the amount standing to his credit in the Fund is not less than one thousand rupees;

(iii) The dwelling site or the dwelling house/flat or the house under construction is free from encumbrances;

Provident that where a dwelling site or a dwelling house/flat is mortgaged to any of the agencies, referred to in cluase (a) of sub-paragraph (1) solely for having obtained funds for the purchase of a dwelling house/flat or for the construction of a dwelling house including the acquisition of a suitable site for the purpose, such a dwelling site or a dwelling house/flat, as the case may be, shall not be deemed to be an encumbered property.

Provided further that a land acquired on a perpetual lease or on lease for the period of not less that 30 years for constructing a dwelling house/flat, or a house/flat built on-such a leased land, shall also not be deemed to be an encumbered property.

Provided also that there the site of the dwelling house/flat is held in the name of any agency, referred to in clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1) and the allottee is precluded from transferring or otherwise disposing of, the house/flat, without the prior approval of such agency, the mere fact that the allottee does not have absolute right of ownership of the house/flat and the site is held in the name of the agency, shall not be a bar to the giving of an advance under clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1), if the other conditions mentioned in this paragraph are satisfied.

(c) No withdrawal shall be granted for purchasing share in a joint property or for constructing a house on a site owned jointly axcept on a site owned jointly with the spouse.

(4) Subject to the limitation prescribed in sub-paragraph - (2) -

(a) Where the withdrawal is for the purchase of a dwelling house/flat or a dwelling site from an agency referred to in clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1), the payment of advance shall not be made to the member but shall be made direct to the agency in one or more instalments, as may be authorised by the member;

(b) Where the withdrawal is for the construction of a dwelling house, it may be sanctioned in such number of instalments as the Commissioner or where so authorised by the Commissioner, any officer, subordinate to him, think fit;

(c) Where the withdrawal is for the acquisition of a dwelling site for the purpose of a dwelling house thereon from any individual or any agency, the amount shall be paid in not less than two equal instalments, the first instalment at the time of the acquisition of the dwelling site and the remaining at his request at the time of the construction of a dwelling house on such dwelling site.

(d) Where the withdrawal is for purchasing a dwelling house/flat on ownership basis from a promoter as referred to in clause (bb) of sub-paragraph (1) the payment of withdrawal shall be made to the member in one or more instalments as may be required to be paid by the said promoter and as authorised by the member.

Explanation

‘Promoter’ includes a person who constructs or causes to be constructed a block or building of flats or apartments for the prupose of selling some or all of them to the other person or to a Company, Co-operative Society or the person who builds and the person who sells are different persons the term ‘promoter’ includes both.

(5) Where a withdrawal is sanctioned for the construction of dwelling house, the construction shall commence within six months of the withdrawal for the first instalment and shall be completed within twelve months of the withdrawal of the final instalment. Where the withdrawal is sanctioned for the purpose of a dwelling house/flat or for the acquisition of the dwelling site, the purchase of acquisition, as the case may be, shall be completed within six months of the withdrawal of the amount.

Provided that this provision shall not be applicable in the case of purchase of a dwelling house/flat on hire-purchase basis and in cases where a dwelling site is to be acquired or houses are to be constructed by a co-operative society on behalf of its members with a view to their allotment to the members.

(6) Except in the cases specified in sub-paragraph (7) and (7-A), no further withdrawal shall be admissible to a member under this paragraph.

(7) Additions & Alteration to the House: An additional withdrawal upto twelve months basic wages and dearness allowance or the member’s own share of contributions with interest thereon, in the amount standing to his credit in the Fund, whichever is less, may be granted once and in one instalment only, for additions, substantial alternations or improvement necessary to the dwelling house owned by the member or by the spouse or jointly by the member and the spouse:

Provided that the withdrawal shall be admissible only after a period of five years from the date of completion of the dwelling house.

(7-A) A further withdrawal equivalent to the amount of difference between the amount of withdrawal admissible to a member under sub-paragraph (2) above as on the date of fresh application and the amount of withdrawal that was drawn by a member under this paragraph any time during six years preceding 3/10/1981, may be granted to such a member (i) who had availed the earlier withdrawal for purchase of a dwelling site and has now proposed to construction a dwelling house on the land so purchased, or (ii) who had availed the earlier withdrawal for making initial payment towards the allotment/purchase of a house/flat from any agency as referred in clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1) above and has now proposed to avail withdrawal for completing the transaction to get the sole ownership of the house/flat so purchased, (iii) who had availed the earlier withdrawal for construction of a house but could not complete the construction in time due to lack of funds.

(8) The member shall produce the title deed and such other documents as may be required for inspection which shall be returned to the member after the grant of withdrawal.

(9) (a) If the withdrawal granted under this paragraph exceeds the amount actually spent for the purpose for which it was sanctioned, the excess amount shall be refunded by the member to the Fund in one lump sum within thirty days of the finalisation of the purchase, or the completion of the construction of, or necessary additions, alternations or improvements to a dwelling house, as the case may be. The amount so refunded shall be credited to the employer’s share of contributions in the members account in the fund to the extent of withdrawal granted out of the said share, and the balance, if any, shall be credited to the member’s share of contributions in his account.

(b) In the event of the member not having been allotted a dwelling site/dwelling house/flat, or in the event of the cancellation of an allotment made to the member and of the refund of the amount by the agency, referred to in clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1) or in the event of the member not being able to acquire the dwelling site or to purchase the dwelling house/flat from any individual or to construct the dwelling house, the member shall be liable to refund to the Fund in one lump sum and in such manner as may be specified by the BOARD OF TRUSTEES the amount of withdrawal remitted under this paragraph to him, or as the case may be to the agency referred to in clause (a) of sub-paragraph (1). The amount so refunded shall be credited to the employer’s share of contributions in the member’s account in the fund, to the extent of withdrawal granted out of the said share, and the balance if any, shall be credited to the member’s own share of contributions in his account.

(9) If the Board is satisfied that the withdrawal granted under this paragraph has been utilised for a purpose other than that for which it was granted or that the member refused to accept an allotment or to acquire a dwelling site or that the

conditions of withdrawals have not been fulfilled or that there is reasonable apprehension that they will not be fulfilled wholly or party; or that the excess amount will not be refunded in terms of clause (a) of sub-paragraph (9) or that the amount remitted back to the member by any agency referred to in clauses (a) of sub-paragraph (1), will not be refunded in terms of clause (b) of sub-paragraph of (9), the BOARD OF TRUSTEES shall forthwith take steps to recover the amount due with penal interest thereon at the rate of two percent per annum above the rate of interest, which may be determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Board under Paragraph 10 of these Rules, from the wages of the member in such number of installments as the Board of Trustees may determine.

Provided that the recovery of withdrawal under sub-para (10) shall be restricted to cases where the recovery has been ordered by the sanctioned authority while the member is in service.

(10) Where any withdrawal granted under this paragraph has been misued by the member, no further withdrawal shall be granted to him under this paragraph within a period of three years from the date of grant of the said withdrawal or till the full recovery of the amount of the said withdrawal, the penal interest thereon, whichever is later.

14-C Withdrawal from the fund for repayment of loans in special cases.

(1) (a) The Board may, on an application from a member, sanction from the amount standing to the credit of the member in the Fun, withdrawal for the repayment, wholly or partly of any outstanding principal and interest of a loan obtained from a State Government, Co-operative Society, Housing Board, Municipal Corporation or a body similar to the Delhi Development Authority solely for the purposes specified in sub-paragraph (1) or paragraph 14-B.

(b) The member has completed ten years membership of the Find;

(c) The member produces a certificate or such other documents, as may be prescribed by the Commissioner or any officer subordinate to him, from such agency, indicating the particulars of the member, the loan granted, the outstanding principal and interest of lean and such other particulars as may be required.

(4) The payment of the withdrawal under this paragraph shall be made direct to such agency on receipt of an authorisation from the member in such manner ass may be specified by the Board of Trustees and in no event the payment shall e made to the member.

14. D. Grant of advance in special cases.

(1) In case the company has been locked up or closed down for more than fifteen days for reasons other than a strike and its employees are rendered unemployed without any compensation or if any employee does not receive his wages for a continuous period of two months or more, the Board on being satisfied that no compensation to the employees is likely to be paid by the employer within a reasonable time, may, on receipt of an application therefor in the form prescribed in his behalf, authorise payment to a member who was employed in such factory or other establishment, one or more non-recoverable advances, his own total contributions including interest thereon up to the date the payment has been authorised.

(1-A) In case a member is discharged or dismissed or retrenched by the employer and such discharge or dismissal or retrenchment is challenged by the member and the cases are pending in a Court of law, the Board may, on an application from the member in such form as may be prescribed, authorise application from the member in such form as may be prescribed, authorise payment to him of one or more non-recoverable advances from his Provident Fund Account not exceeding fifty per cent of his own share of contribution with interest thereon standing to his credit in the Fund on the date of such authorisation.

(2-a) In case the Company continues to remain locked up or closed down for more than six months, the Board, on being satisfied that a member who has already been granted one or more non-recoverable advances from his Provident Fund Account under sub-paragraph (1) still continues to be unemployed and no compensation is likely to be paid to him at an early date, may, on receipt of an application therefor in such form as may be prescribed, authorise payment to the member of one or more recoverable advances from his provident fund account upto the extent of 100% of the employer’s total contribution including interest thereon upto the date on which the payment has been authorised.

b. The advance granted under clause(a) shall be interest free.

c. The advance granted under clause(a) shall be recoverable by deductions from the wages of the member in such instalments as maybe determined by the Board of Trustees. The recovery shall commence from the first wages paid to the member immediately after the re-start of the factory or establishment.

d. The amount so deducted will be remitted tot he Fund within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the Board. The amount, on receipt, shall be credited to the members account in the fund.

Explanation

For the purpose of grat of advance under this rule, the establishment may be closed legally or illegally with permission or without permission so long the Establishment is closed.

14-E. Advance from the fund for illness in certain cases

1. A member may be allowed non-refundable advance from his account in the Fund in cases of

a. Hospitalisation lasting for one month or more, or

b. Major surgical operation in a hospital, or

c. Suffering from T.B., Leprosy, Paralysis, Cancer, mental derangement or heart ailment and having been granted leave by his employer for treatment of the said illness.

2. The advance shall be granted if :-

A doctor of the hospital certifies that a surgical operation, or as the case may be, hospitalisation for one month or more had or has become necessary; or a registered medical practitioner or in the case of illness specified in Rule 14E 1©, a specialist certifies that the member is suffering from T.B., Leprosy, Paralysis, Cancer, mental derangement or heart ailment.

3. A member may be allowed non-refundable advance from his account in the fund for the treatment of a member of his family for hospitalisation, for one month or more

a. for a major surgical operation, or

b. for the treatment of T.B., Leprosy, Paralysis, cancer, mental derangement or heart ailment;Provided that no such advances shall be granted to a member unless he has produced

I. A certificate from a doctor of the hospital that the patient has been hospitalised or requires hospitalisation for a one month or more, or that a major surgical operation had or has become necessary, and

II. A certificate from his employer that the Employee’s State Insurance Scheme facility and benefits are not available to him for the treatment of the patient.

4. The amount advanced under this paragraph shall not exceed the member’s basis wages and dearness allowance for three months or his own share of contribution with interest in the Fund, whichever is less.

5. Where the Board is not satisfied with the medical certificate furnished by the member under this paragraph, it may, before granting an advance under this paragraph, demand from the member another medical certificate to its satisfaction.

14-F. Advance from the fund or marriages or post-matriculation education of children

1. The Board may on an application from a member authorise payment to him or her of a non-refundable advance from his or her provident fund account not exceeding fifty per cent of his or her own share of contribution with interest thereon, standing to his or her credit in the Fund, on the date for such authorization, for his or her own marriage, the marriage of his or her daughter, son, sister or brother or for the post matriculation education of his or her son or daughter

2. No advance under this paragraph shall be sanctioned to the member unless

a. He has completed seven years membership of the Fund.

b. The amount of his own share of contribution with interest thereon standing to his credit in the Fund is rupees one thousand or more.

3. Not more that three advances shall be admissible to a member under this paragraph.

14-G Grant of advance in abnormal conditions-

1. The Board may, on an application from a member whose property movable or immovable, has been damaged by a calamity of exceptional nature, such as floods, earthquakes or riots, authorise payment to him from the provident fund account, a non-refundable advance of Rs 5000/- w.e.f. 1.6.1991 or fifty percent of his own total contribution including interest thereon standing to his credit on the date of such authorisation, whichever is less, to meet any unforeseen expenditure.

2. No advance under sub-paragraph (1) shall be paid unless-

I. The State Government has declared that the calamity has affected the general public in the area;

II. The member produces a certificate from an appropriate authority to the effect that his property (Movable or Immovable) has been damaged as a result of the calamity; and

III. The application for advance is made within a period of four months from the date of declaration referred to in sub-paragraph(I).

14-H Grant of advance to members who are physically handicapped

1. A member, who is physically handicapped may be allowed a non-refundable advance from his account in the Fund, for purchase an equipment required to minimise the hardship on account of handicap.

2. No advance under sub-paragraph (1) shall be paid unless the member produces a medical certificate from a competent medical practitioner to the satisfaction of the Board of Trustees to the effect that he is physically handicapped.

3. The amount of advance under this paragraph shall not exceed the member’s basic wages and dearness allowance for six months or his own share of contribution with interest thereon or the cost of the equipment whichever is the least.

4. No second advance under this paragraph shall be allowed within a period of three years from the date of payment of an advance allowed under this paragraph.

14-I Final withdrawal on pre-retirement on superannuation

The Trustee may on application from a member sanction FINAL Withdrawal upto 90% of the balance at the credit of the member to plan in advance the investment of their savings provided he applies for such withdrawal within twelve months before retirement on superannuation.

15. Grant of refundable advances to members from the fund

1. The Trustee may on application from a member authorise payment to him/her a refundable advance from his account in the fund in the following circumstances and conditions laid down as under:-

a. To pay expenses in connection with marriage of his/her, son/daughter and dependent sister and brother.

b. To pay expenses to be incurred in connection with the illness for self, wife/husband or his/her son, daughter and dependent parents.

c. To meet the cost of higher education, including where necessary the travelling expenses of any child of the emplouyee actually dependent upon him in the following cases:-

I. any medical, engineering or other technical or specialised course in India beyond the High School stage, provided that the course of study is not less than 3 years.

II. Education out side India for academic professional or vocational course beyond High School stage and also the cost of passage to the place out of India.

2. Admissibility of advance amount

I. The refundable advance in connection with the expenses on marriages as specified in Clause 15.1(a) above shall not exceed six months basic wages and dearness allowance thereon or the actual balance lying at his/her credit in the Fund in the own share of contribution, whichever is less.

II. The advance in connection with other purposes as specified at 15.1(b), (c) & ; (d) above shall not exceed three months basic wages and dearness allowance thereon or the actual balance lying in his/her account as own share of contribution, whichever is less.

3. Conditions for refundable advances for various purposes: I. Where the advance is granted in connection with expenses on marriage, it shall be repaid in not more

than forty eight equal instalments.

II. Where the advance is allowed for any other purpose, the amount withdrawn shall be repaid in not more than twenty four equal instalments.

III. Second advance shall not be allowed unless the previous advance has been fully repaid.

IV. Documentary evidences like marriage card for marriages, sickness certificate from a Medical Practitioner in case of illness and such like evidences in other cases will be necessary for the grant of advances.

V. Interest will be charged on advances as per Rules.

16. Payment of Provident Fund

1. When the amount standing to the credit of a member, or the balance thereof becomes payable, it shall be the duty of the Board to make prompt payment as provided in these Rules. In case there is no nominee in accordance with these Rules or there is no person entitled to receive such amount under sub-rule (ii) of Rule (13), the Board of Trustees may, it the amount to the credit to the Fund does not exceed Rs 10000/- and if satisfied after enquiry about the tittle of the claimant, pay such amount to the claimant.

2. If any portion of the amount which has become payable is in dispute or doubt, the Board of Trustees shall make prompt payment of that portion of the amount in regard to which there is no dispute or doubt, the balance being adjusted as soon as may be possible.

3. If the person to whom any amount is to be paid under these rules is a minor for whose estate a guardian under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (8 of 1890), has been appointed, the payment shall be made to the guardian, if any, appointed under sub-paragraph (5-A) of rule 11. Where no guardian under the Guardians

and Wards Act, 1890 (8 of 1890), or under sub-paragraph (5-A) of Rule 11 has been appointed, the payment shall be made to the natural guardian and in the absence of a natural guardian, to such person as the Board, where the amount does not exceed Rs 20000/- or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees if the amount exceeds Rs 20000/- considers to be the proper person representing the minor and the receipt of such person for the amount paid shall be a sufficient discharge thereof.

4. If this person to whom any amount is to be paid under this Scheme, is a lunatic for whose estate a manager under the India Lunacy Act, 1912 (4 of 1912) has been appointed the payment shall be made to such manager. If no such manager has been appointed the payment shall be made to the natural guardian of the lunatic and in the absence of any such natural guardian to such person as the Board of Trustees where the amount does not exceed Rs 20000/- or Chairman of the Board if the amount exceeds Rs 20000/-, considers to be proper person representing the lunatic and the receipt of such person for the amount paid shall be a sufficient discharge thereof.

5. If it is brought to the notice of the Board of Trustees that the posthumous child is to be born to the deceased member he shall retain the amount which will be due to the child in the event of its being born alive and distribute the balance. If subsequently no child is born or the child is still-born, the amount retained shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13.

6. The payment may be made at the option of the person to whom payment is to be made under these rules:-

I. By crossed cheque sent through Post drawn on any scheduled bank or any co-op. Bank.

II. By deposit in the payee’s bank account in any scheduled bank or any co-op. Bank or any Post Office

III. By deposit in the Payee’s name the whole or part of the amount in the form of annuity term deposit scheme in any Nationalised Bank.

7. Any amount becoming due to a member as a result of -

I. supplementary contribution from the Company in respect of leave wages arrears of pay, instalment of arrears contribution in respect of an employee whose claim has been settled on account but which could not be remitted for want of latest address, or

II. .accumulation in respect of any member who has either ceased to be employed or died but no claim has been preferred within a period of 3 years from the date it becomes payable, or if any amount remitted to a person, is received back undelivered and is not claimed again within a period of 3

years from the date if becomes payable, shall be transferred to an account to be called the “Unclaimed Deposits A/c’s”.

Provided that in the case of a claim for the payment of the said balance, the amount shall be paid by debiting the “Unclaimed Deposit A/c”

CHAPTER-IV 17. Custody of contribution card & inspection by members 1. As soon as the employee becomes the member of the PF, the Board shall promptly allot a A/C No. to

each employee qualifying to become a member and shall communicate the A/c No. to the member.

2. Separate card shall be maintained for each member showing the members contribution, the Company’s Contribution, interest accrued, withdrawals, payments, etc. in prescribed form.

3. The Board of Trustees shall retain in its custody the contribution cards in respect of each member employed by and shall take every precaution against the loss of contribution cards.

4. Any member making a request in this behalf to the Company shall be permitted to inspect his cards himself or to have the same inspected by any person duly authorised by him in writing to do so within 72 hours of making such request, provided that no such request be entertained more than once in every two calendar months.

18. Closing and winding up of the fund The fund shall not be revocable except with the consent of all the beneficiaries. Upon the closing of the Fund, all amounts due by the members in respect of their own contribution and the company’s contribution shall be dealt with as per the direction of the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. 19. Distribution of assets on closing and winding up On the closing and winding up of the Fund, the Trustees shall realise, the assets at their disposal and shall after liquidating all liabilities, if any, of the Fund, transfer the balance if any to Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. 20. The employees pension scheme 1995 The company shall be responsible to comply with the provisions of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.

21. Group Insurance scheme

As the Company has adopted the Group Insurance Scheme of Life Insurance Corporation of India, necessary exemption under Section 17(2A) of the EPF & MP Act from the provisions of EDLI Scheme 1976 has been obtained.

CHAPTER-V

FORM -"A"

NOMINATION FOR ELECTION (See Rule 8(D)(ii)

Name of the Branch/Department:

I hereby nominate Shri___________________________________________ (Name of the employee's candidate with his Provident Fund Account Number) as a candidate for election to the Board of Trustees)

Date : _______________ (Signature of the proposer with his Provident Fund Account No.

Address:

I hereby declare that I agree to the nomination.

Date : ____________ (Signature of the candidate)

_________________

_________________

Attested by

(1)______________________

(2)______________________

(To be signed by two members of the Provident Fund)

This nomination paper was delivered to me at my office on _____________ by the candidate/proposer.

EMPLOYER

FORM - "B"

DECLARATION AND NOMINATION FORM (Referred to in Rule 11 of the Fund)

____________________Provident Fund/__________________________________

1. Name of the Employee ____________________________________ (In Block letters)

2. Sex ____________________________________

3. Religion ____________________________________

4. Father's Name ____________________________________

5. Husband's name ____________________________________

6. Marital status ____________________________________ (Whether Unmarried/Married/Widow/Widower)

7. Date of birth Day____________Month_____________Year

8. Permanent address : ______________Village_____________Thana

_______________________Taluk/Sub-Division

________________P.O_______________Distt.

______________State

I declare that I have not previously been a member of the Employees Provident Fund or I was a member of the Fund of__________________________ .

I hereby nominate the person/s mentioned below to receive the amount that may stand to my credit in the Provident Fund. Amount of Gratuity, in the vent of my death before that amount becomes payable or , having become payable, has not been paid, and direct that the said amount shall be distributed amongst the said person/s in the manner shown against their name/s: _____________________________________________________________________ NAME & NOMINEE'S AGE OF *AMOUNT Of SHARE OF ADDRESS OF RELATIONSHIP NOMINEE ACCUMULATION IN THE NOMINEE WITH MEMBER THE PF/AMOUNT OR SHARE OF GRATUITY TO BE PAID TO EACH NOMINEE (1) (2) (3) (4) _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

170

FORM - "C"

MODIFICATION OF NOMINATION

(Referred to in Rule 11(6) of the Fund)

(Name of Fund)Provident Fund _____________Account No.__________________

1,____________________________hereby cancel the nomination made by me previously as regards the disposal of the amount that may stand to my credit in the Provident Fund in the event of my death and hereby nominate the person/s mentioned below to receive the authorised amount, before that amount becomes payable or having become payable, has not been paid, and direct that the said amount shall be distributed among the said persons in the manner shown against their names: _____________________________________________________________________ NAME & NOMINEE'S AGE OF THE *AMOUNT OF SHARE OF ADDRESS RELATIONSHIP NOMINEE ACCUMULATIONS IN THE OF THE WITH THE PF/AMOUNT TO BE PAID NOMINEE MEMBER TO EACH NOMINEE OR NOMINEES _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

*1. Certified that I have no family and should I acquire family hereafter, the above nomination should be deemed as cancelled.

*2. Certified that my father/mother/sister(a) minor brother/s is/are dependent on me.

Date_____________ this ________________ day of____________ 20 _______ at

________________

Two witnesses' signature Signature of the employee

1. 2.

Certified that the above declaration has been signed before me by Shri/Smt._______ __________________.

Dated________ Signature of the Trustee or any person authorised by the

Trustee in this behalf

*Delete inapplicable words

**This column should be filled in so as to cover the whole of the amount that may stand to the credit of the employee in the Provident Fund.