XLRI's plan to revamp EPFO

In an effort to instill the spirit of a service provider among the rank and file of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation, a new business model for its human resources is being examined under a re-engineering exercise.

The proposal has been mooted on the basis of the recommendations of the Jamshedpur-based Xavier Labour Relations Institute for a four-tier organisational structure for the EPFO, sources in the Labour Ministry said.

The exercise contemplates total computerisation to enable subscribers to submit their claims for withdrawal, settlement and transfer to any EPF office so that the claims can be processed online and settled within three days.

The XLRI, which was commissioned by the EPFO to undertake a comprehensive study, suggested opening of a branch office at the lowest level and a corporate office at the highest level.

Between these two would be a regional and a zonal office. It suggested scrapping of the district office in the present dispensation and favoured setting up of business units that would have direct interface with the establishments and members.

These business units would be relocated so as to be closer to customer-bases, the report said. The exercise comes in the backdrop of complaints relating to EPFO's services to the growing number of customers.