Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru, in association with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Regional Office, Mangaluru, organised a stakeholders’ meeting on “EPFO Reforms & New Schemes” on 28th October 2026 at the KCCI Meeting Hall, Bunder.
Welcoming the gathering, KCCI President Shri Divakar Pai Kochikar highlighted the significance of the new EPF, Pension and EDLI schemes under the Code on Social Security, which replace rules dating back to 1952. He encouraged employers to make use of the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign before its closure on 31 October and assured members that KCCI would take up the issues raised with the EPFO Regional Office.
Shri Mahabala Alva, Chairman of the KCCI Labour Sub-committee, emphasised the importance of such awareness programmes in helping employers understand the latest EPFO regulations, address statutory compliance challenges and strengthen employees’ social security.
Shri Jay Kumar, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Karnataka & Goa Zone, explained the EPFO reforms and recent changes relating to withdrawals. He encouraged participants to utilise EPFO grievance redressal mechanisms, attend the Nidhi Aapke Nikat programme and coordinate with EPFO under the Prayas Scheme to facilitate the timely issue of Pension Payment Orders to eligible employees.
Shri Sandeep Biswas, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Mangaluru, highlighted various initiatives, including PM-VBRY, the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2026 and the Vishwas Scheme. Shri Ankit Singh, Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO Regional Office, Mangaluru, gave a detailed presentation on changes in the EPF, EDLI and EPS schemes under the Code on Social Security, including the increase in the wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.
Ms. Anitha, Shri Sandeep B.C. and Ms. Susheela A., Enforcement Officers, along with other officials from the EPFO Regional Office, Mangaluru, were present on the occasion. The programme was attended by industrialists, HR professionals, finance heads and consultants, providing an opportunity to interact with senior EPFO officials and clarify queries relating to statutory compliance, withdrawals, grievance redressal and employee social security.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Jeethan Allen Sequeira, Hon. Secretary, KCCI.
