SHILLONG: In view of the current scenario of lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the filing of monthly Electronic-Challan cum Return (ECR) is separated from payment of the statutory contributions reported in the ECR, an official statement of the EPFO said.
ECR can now be filed by an employer without the need of simultaneous payment of contributions and contributions may be paid later by the employer after filing the ECR.
The change will entail convenience to the employers as well as the employees covered under the Act and Schemes.
Filing of ECR by the employer in time is indicative of employer’s intent to comply and it will not therefore attract penal consequences if the dues are paid within the extended time as announced by the government. Filing of ECR in time shall help in credit of employers’ and employees’ share of contributions, totaling 24% of wages by the Centre in EPF accounts of low wage earners establishments’ eligible under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana package.
The current ECR data shall also help in policy planning and decision making for further relief to the businesses and EPF members adversely impacted by the pandemic.
