PANJIM, AUG 23
Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has demanded a separate Provident Fund Tribunal for South India since taking justice to the door–steps of the people is the government’s motto.
In a special mention in Rajya Sabha, Naik said a Bench of Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal be constituted either at Mumbai, Goa or Banglore to cover, Bangalore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Goa, Nagpur, Raipur etc.
He said that the Appellate Tribunal under Provident Fund Act holds its sittings only at one place in India ie at Delhi.
“This causes immense hardships to the concerned people, considering the time and money involved in attending the tribunal in Delhi. The Presiding officer, occasionally, also holds sittings in Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore and the last seating in Goa took place almost a year back,” he stated.
Alternatively, Mr Naik suggested that, there can be one permanent presiding officer seating in Delhi and the other a mobile presiding officer presiding over the camp in various parts of South India on rotation.
Suggesting that there is also another alternative, Mr Naik said, since Industrial Tribunals are already established under Industrial Tribunal Act, the same may be designated as Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunals, which will result in every State getting an appellate tribunal under Provident Fund Act.
“Ministry of Labour should undertake an exercise in this matter and take appropriate steps in consultation with all the stake holders,” he said
Pending the decision, sittings of the Delhi Tribunal in South India, including Goa, should resume and there should not be a disproportionate gaps between one sitting and the other, Mr Naik suggested.
Before making suggestion in the House, Naik met Union Minister for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge and briefed him about the submission he proposes to make in the House.
