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Pradheesh and his family were taken aback by the sudden compliance of the EPFO with the payment. However, rather than succumb to dismay, they are steadfast in their resolve to pursue justice for Sivaraman and prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future. Despite facing financial constraints, they are committed to taking legal action against the system.
Pradheesh Sivaraman finds himself grappling with the perplexity of his father’s demise. His father K P Sivaraman took his own life within the confines of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) office in Kochi. For nine long years, the EPFO had withheld his father’s life savings, citing documentation discrepancies. Despite repeated attempts to claim his dues, they were met with rejection. It was only after his father’s demise that the EPFO swiftly cleared the pending dues, without even requiring additional documentation or a death certificate.
The EPFO’s sudden compliance with the payment has left Pradheesh and his family dismayed. They are resolute in their determination to seek justice for Sivaraman and prevent such injustices from befalling others. Despite lacking financial resources, they are prepared to pursue legal action against the system.
The EPFO mandates the submission of Form 20 along with various documents, including a death certificate, for the withdrawal of the PF of deceased members. However, in Sivaraman’s case, the EPFO waived these requirements posthumously.
plague EPFo's payment procedures
Despite attempts to seek clarification from the EPFO regarding the unusual payment procedure, responses have been elusive. Sivaraman, a retired Apollo Tyres employee, had tirelessly pursued his dues for nearly a decade, facing repeated rejections due to purported document mismatches.
The surge in rejection rates for EPF final settlements underscores a systemic issue. Over the years, the rejection rate has risen from 13 percent to nearly 34 percent, indicating a concerning trend of members being denied their rightful claims. Among the three categories of PF claims, final settlement claims have seen the sharpest increase in rejection rates.
77-year-old dies by suicide
In another incident from January, a 77-year-old physically challenged man, Joseph, reportedly died by suicide in this district due to alleged non-receipt of disability pension for months. He had warned in a letter to commit suicide if not received. The panchayat denies direct correlation. Police have filed an FIR and initiated an investigation