FIR against 89 establishments in Pune for taking disadvantage of ARBY scheme by submitting false documents, reveals EPFO

• Dnyanada Sagare

07 May 2024 – The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt of India published a press release concerning a few establishments in Pune taking the disadvantage/disobeying the ARBY scheme. 

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Yojana (ABRY) scheme was launched by the Central Government during the epidemic of Covid-19 to provide relief to employees and employers covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 given the financial distress the pandemic had caused. As per the Scheme, the Central Government remitted both the statutory contributions i.e. employees’ and the employer’s contributions in respect of the new entrants/joinees in an establishment. The ABRY Scheme was applicable across the nation.

The release mentioned that it had come to their notice that some of the establishments in Pune had submitted forged documents to take the wrongful advantage of this welfare scheme. The matter was further investigated by the Enforcement Branch of the office and it was found that about 89 employers claimed the above benefit from the Central Government by submitting false documents and incorrect declarations. 

Accordingly, a complaint was filed with the police authorities. An FIR has been registered under the same by the Wanavadi Police Station for offences of cheating and forgery against the stated 89 establishments and their owners.

It further mentioned that more cases of a similar nature are under examination and legal action shall commence after the completion of the investigation. The document cleared the air by specifying that the matter relates to a wrongful claim of subsidy from the Central Government by some unscrupulous employers and is unconnected with regularly complying establishments and bona fide subscribers. No EPFO funds are involved in the matter.