Chandigarh, September 21
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Punjab & Himachal Pradesh Zone and Regional Office Chandigarh, held a press conference today at the EPFO Office, Chandigarh. It was addressed by Shri Rajiv Bisht, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner (In-charge Punjab & Himachal Pradesh Zone), in the presence of senior EPFO officers.
Rajiv Bisht, ACC apprised that the EPFO wage ceiling has been enhanced from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, effective from 17 September 2026. The move will bring more eligible employees under the social security net and widen access to EPFO benefits, including Provident Fund, Pension and Insurance. He also briefed the media on the Vishwas 2026, the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which promotes employment generation and formal employment, the Employee Enrolment Campaign 2026 and the Amnesty 2026. Rajiv Bisht further apprised that, out of 37,805 contributing establishments in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Zone (29141 in Punjab and 8664 in HP), a total of 15,95,991 members are contributing, of whom 5,87,322 members are presently contributing on wages of ₹15,000 per month. It is expected that these 5,87,322 members shall benefit from the enhancement of the wage ceiling to ₹25,000 per month.
Rajiv Bisht urged employers to ensure timely registration and enrolment of eligible employees and to make them aware of their rights and entitlements. He stressed that accurate information is essential for these schemes to reach the intended beneficiaries, and he acknowledged the media’s role in spreading awareness.
Responding to media queries on eligibility, enrolment procedures and the schemes, he provided detailed clarifications. In closing, Shri Bisht appealed to employers and employees to make full use of the enhanced wage ceiling and other EPFO schemes, and to help strengthen the social security system.