By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 2: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation Regional Office (EPFO RO), Shillong, conducted an engagement session with local employers on Wednesday, to disseminate information about the newly approved Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme in a move to promote formal employment and enhance social security coverage in the region.
As part of the broader communication and outreach efforts, the interaction was spearheaded by EPFO RO Shillong officials, who briefed representatives from a few prominent establishments. The interaction served as an informative platform where the provisions, benefits, eligibility criteria, and application procedures under the ELI Scheme were discussed in detail.
Officials also addressed queries made by the representatives and encouraged them to spread awareness within their respective organisations.
Speaking on the occasion, Regional PF Commissioner II, EPFO RO, K Hungyo, and officials from EPFO Shillong emphasised that the ELI Scheme not only incentivises employment generation but also strengthens India’s vision of inclusive growth and formalisation of the workforce.
With social security being a critical pillar of sustainable development, the scheme is expected to encourage more employers to register under the EPF Act and offer long-term benefits to their employees, such as provident fund, pension, and insurance coverage.
During the interaction, Ranjan Purkayastha, Senior Accountant of M/s CMJ Breweries Pvt. Ltd., said, “The ELI scheme is a well-thought-out initiative, and if implemented in coordination, it will significantly benefit the workforce.”
On the other hand, Nikita Sunar, HR Executive of Hotel Centre Point Group Enterprises, commented, “We have come up with a good scheme designed to be beneficial for both employers and employees. It will help generate more jobs, which is critical when unemployment is a growing concern. Secondly, the process is simple as the incentive amount will be sent directly to the employee, and the employers also receive financial support.
The initiative formed part of the ongoing ELI Scheme awareness drive, aimed at encouraging employers to take advantage of the incentives and contribute to formal employment growth in the region. Other local media organisations were also briefed on the scheme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and implementation process.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme to support employment generation, enhance employability and social security across all sectors, with special focus on the manufacturing sector.
Under the Scheme, while the first-time employees will get one month’s wage (up to Rs 15,000), the employers will be given incentives for a period to two years for generating additional employment, with extended benefits for another two years for the manufacturing sector. The ELI Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of PM Modi’s package of five schemes to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth with a total budget outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore.
