Digital signature registration not mandatory for firms: EPFO

Retirement fund manager EPFO has not made it mandatory for employers with more than 1,000 workers to register their digital signatures with it, Parliament was informed today.
"Registration of digital signature with EPFO is not mandatory. However, field offices of EPFO have been instructed to make maximum efforts to obtain digital signatures of the employers or their representatives," Minister of State for Labour and Employment Kodikunnil Suresh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
However, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is implementing the digital signature facility for online settlement of PF account transfer claims on changing jobs, he said.

The facility is optional and claims can be filed either online or by submitting a physical form. The system will be made operative after the digital signature of a willing employer or its representative is registered with the EPFO, the minister added.
The EPFO has already informed all employers which come under its purview that the process of registration of digital signatures has begun.
An analysis of employer filings between February 2013 and June 2013 shows that out of 7,43,045 enrolled establishments with EPFO, 5,232 reported more than 1,000 contributing members (workers).