- PF wage ceiling raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, effective September 17, 2026
- Awareness drives held in Bilaspur on October 07 and Dhamtari on October 08
- Raipur review covered Tatpar Portal 2.0, PM-VBRY progress and Prayaas initiative
- Shikhar Sharma met Chhattisgarh Labour Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has stepped up outreach across Chhattisgarh to widen social security cover for workers. Regional PF Commissioner Shikhar Sharma, of the Bhopal zonal office, led the reviews and field programmes.
Awareness drives in Bilaspur and Dhamtari
Awareness programmes under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana’ (PM-VBRY) were launched in Bilaspur on October 07. A similar programme was held at Mennonite School, Dhamtari, on October 08.
Officials explained EPFO’s main schemes to employers and employees. These included the ‘Vishwas’ amnesty scheme, the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2025 and PM-VBRY.
The sessions focused on an amendment effective from September 17, 2026. It raises the wage ceiling for PF contribution deductions from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. This brings lakhs of workers in the state under enhanced social security cover.
Digital services and pension review in Raipur
A high-level review at the EPFO Regional Office in Raipur focused on digital service delivery and faster pension payments. Officials assessed the rollout of ‘Tatpar Portal 2.0’ and PM-VBRY progress point by point.
The review also covered the ‘Prayaas’ initiative. It is meant to ensure prompt benefits for retiring subscribers.
Jayavadan Ingle, Officer-in-Charge and Regional PF Commissioner-1, Raipur, attended the meeting. Dasarathi Nag and Gaurav Dogra, both Regional PF Commissioner-2, were also present.
Sharma was also the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of ‘Rajbhasha Pakhwada’. He felicitated officers and staff who won prizes in various competitions during the fortnight.
Meeting with state labour minister
Sharma held a courtesy meeting with Chhattisgarh Minister for Commerce and Industry, Commercial Tax (Excise) and Labour, Lakhan Lal Dewangan. They discussed recent policy reforms, worker registration drives and steps to expand social security cover across the state.
Sharma thanked the minister for the PM-VBRY event held on June 19, 2026. Both sides stressed continued cooperation between the State Labour Department and EPFO on worker welfare.
