In a recent ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Kangra at Dharamshala, comprising President Hemanshu Mishra and Members Arti Sood and Narayan Thakur, has held the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) accountable for a miscalculation in an employee's pension withdrawal benefits. The case involved Mr. Katoch, a former clerk from Tehsil Baijnath, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, who was employed through an outsourcing agency managed by Rishabh Thakur at DAV Public School from April 4, 2024, to March 15, 2025. After leaving the job, Katoch applied for withdrawal of his Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) benefits. However, EPFO credited only Rs 12,750 to his bank account, despite his EPF passbook showing contributions of Rs 14,230. Upon noticing the discrepancy, Katoch filed complaints with EPFO, which went unresolved, leading him to approach the consumer commission for justice. The commission found that EPFO incorrectly applied a 0.85 factor meant for a 10-month service period instead of the correct 0.94 factor for Katoch's 11 months and 12 days of service. This error resulted in a shortfall of Rs 1,350. The commission directed EPFO to pay the remaining amount with 9% annual interest, Rs 1,000 as compensation for mental agony, and Rs 2,500 for litigation expenses. This ruling underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in calculating statutory benefits, reinforcing that employees can seek redress for computational errors in welfare schemes.
