Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangama along with Ms Ampareen Lyngdoh Minister for Education and Tourism, Meghalaya, today inaugurated computerisation in Sub Regional Office Shillong at a small function organised at Hotel Pine wood. Shillong is the 118th office of EPFO to migrate to the computerised operations. With this, all the EPF offices in the North East Region have been computerised.

Dr Sangama generated the first payment through the Application for EPF member Banasree Pal AS/1386/37. Two other members namely Madona Iawphniaw (As/703/675) and Snarbor Laloo(AS/704/204) also received their PF settlements on the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Sangama while expressing pleasure in being part of the world’s largest social Security system provided by EPFO said that social security was the greatest need of the hour as “insecurity is dangerous”. A secure citizen can only help in the progress and development of the society at large. He expressed concern at non availability of social security to the unorganised sector. On the occasion he announced that his government will be launching a scheme of social security for the Building and construction workers in the state. All Government construction agencies will fund this scheme through 1% cess on Project work. This he said would be deducted at source. He further said that the role of media was very important in bringing awareness amongst the stake holders about the schemes and the benefits so that voluntary coverage is encouraged. He further said that there was a need to spread awareness especially amongst the youth so that they are aware of their entitlements post gainful employment.

Ms Ampareen Lyngdoh, Education and Tourism minister, the Guest of honour at the function while expressing pleasure for being part of a significant milestone in the history of the EPF offices said ‘To me as the Education and Tourism Minister, it gives me special sense of satisfaction as the majority of the establishments under Sub Regional Office Shillong are either from Education or Tourism sector. I am also happy to note that EPFO is taking efforts to enter into bilateral agreements with different countries for transferability and consolidation of social security benefits for our fellow citizens who go abroad on employment. I feel the youth of NER would benefit the most because of this in times to come.” She added that such efforts bring visibility about transparency in Public Governance through leveraging technology that should continue to be strengthened. In her concluding remarks she appreciated the efforts of the officers involved in the computerisation and said “I will wait for the day when every Indian is extended the benefits of a much needed social security system that does not discriminate its citizens on the basis of salary or employment strength of an establishment”.

Central Provident Fund Commissioner, S. Chatterjee speaking at the occasion said that it was the Organisation’s privilege to extend technology enabled conveniences to members such as SMS alerts on various stages of claim settlement, display of the same over the web and also availability of member balances on the web though that would require some security features before personal information is shared in public domain. He further said that Organisation has the policy of making secure investments. The investments made by EPFO in Meghalaya Government bond was around 350 crores. He added that the Organisation intends to be a part of the development process of the area and would consider additional investments when such Government bonds are floated.

Sh. P. Hangsing, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Shillong in his welcome address said, that it was a new beginning for Shillong office that served nearly 44000 EPF subscribers spread across 750 establishments. He hoped that with the added convenience pace of voluntary coverage would become the order of the day.

Others who were present at the occasion include senior officers of Meghalaya State Government, Employers’, Employees’ representatives and Senior EPFO officers namely B.K. Panda and S.L. Srivastava both Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioners, Uttam Prakash, Sanjay Kesari, Regional Provident Fund Commissioners from Project division of Headquarters and S. K. Sangma, Ritu Raj Medhi Regional Provident Fund commissioners, Reuben Syiem, Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner from Regional office Guwahati. Vallal Muan, Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Shillong, S. Baskaran and S.K. Pattnaik, Assistant Directors (IS) coordinated the launch of the Application Software.

Ms. S. K. Sangma, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Guwahati thanked the Chief guest, The Chief Minister of Megalaya and Guest of Honour Ms. Ampareen Lyngdoh in taking out time to grace the occasion. She also thanked CPFC and Additional CPFCs for exceptional support. Concluding her vote of thanks she expressed her gratitude to the officers from Project Division, Head Office for taking special care for the successful launch of the Computerisation in SRO, Shillong.

The function ended with a colourful cultural programme depicting the unique diversity of North East.

For more photos of the function, please click here