Clearly, such a move at this stage will not be politically expedient, more so when Group C and D employees number almost 17,000 and form a bulk of the EPFO. The Sub-Committee has, on the contrary, proposed ramping up the staff strength given the buoyant growth rate. The report will be taken up for discussion by the CBT at a special meeting on Thursday.

As per 2007 estimates, of the EPFO’s total manpower of 19,510, the present strength of Group C and D posts is 14,747 and 2,173, respectively. However, the sanctioned strength of employees for Group C and D posts is 17,998 and 2,420 respectively. Group C posts perform supervisory as well as operative tasks and render clerical assistances and Group D posts are meant for carrying out routine duties.

“Abolishing such a large number of posts in one go, when the Project Re-inventing EPF India is yet to take off, would affect service delivery,” read the observation of the sub-committee. Noting that such a move may not garner support from stakeholders, it said, “Any restructuring process without addressing the basic requirements of improving service delivery can not have the stakeholders’ acceptance.” The interim report said XLRI failed to explain the rationale in recommending work norms for clerical staff and regional offices. Panning the report as lacking an all-encompassing analysis, it says the report excluded external stakeholders, employees and employers from consultations.

Ministry for better PF returns

The four-crore EPFO subscribers may receive a higher rate of interest on their PF deposits for the fiscal 2008-09 with the labour ministry pressing for it with the finance ministry. The labour and employment minister Oscar Fernandes is also likely to take a delegation of members of the Central Board of Trustees to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue. PF subscribers received 8.5 per cent return on their deposits during 2007-08.