EPF RATE OF INTEREST FOR THE YEAR 2006-07

Ministry of Labour & Employment EPF RATE OF INTEREST FOR THE YEAR 2006-07 16:25 IST The Government has accorded its approval to notify the EPF rate of interest for the year 2006-07 as 8.5%.All the RPFCs have been instructed to immediately give effect to the above and issue annual statement of accounts for the year 2006 at the earliest possible time. The Chairman CBT, EPF and Minister of State( Independent Charge), Labour and Employment has directed that issue of annual accounts for the year 2006-07 is required to be done on war footing.The EPF(Employees’ Provident Fund) Scheme, 1952 requires that the interest shall be credited to the account of each member at such a rate as determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Board of Trustees(CBT).The CBT which met on the 23rd of July 2007 to consider the proposal for determination of rate of interest payable to the members for the year 2006-07 had recommended interest at 8.5%.

THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005: A BRIEF WHAT IS THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005? The Government of India has enacted “The Right to Information Act, 2005” to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of Public Authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of any public authority. WHAT DOES RIGHT TO INFORMATION MEAN? Right to information means the right to information accessible under the Act which is held by or under the control of any Public Authority and includes the right to inspect the work, document, records, taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents/records, certified samples of the materials and obtaining information which is also stored in electronic form. WHO CAN ASK FOR INFORMATION? Any citizen can request for information by making an application in writing or through electronic means in English/Hindi/Official language of the areas, in which the application is being made together with the prescribed fees. WHO WILL GIVE INFORMATION?Every public Authority will designate Central Assistant Public Information Officer (CAPIO) at various levels, and necessary number of Central Public Information Officers (CPIO) in all the offices who will arrange for providing necessary information to the public as permitted under the Act. The public authority is also required to designate such officer who is senior in rank to the CPIO as Appellate Authority, who will hear the appeal against the decisions/orders passed by a CPIO.

Child Labour Act

Amendments to Child Labour Act to come into force HYDERABAD: Households, officers, hotels and guesthouses employing children aged below 14 years as domestic helps, will be in trouble from Tuesday when a Statewide campaign is being launched against child labour in the domestic and hospitality sectors. The campaign is being launched with a formal function at Jubilee Hall here in line with the amendments made to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act of 1986 that will come into force from October 10. Similar functions will be held in all districts. Teams consisting of officials of Labour, School Education, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, Revenue and Municipal Administration Departments and representatives of NGOs, will "raid" houses and establishments employing children as labour. The children will be freed and employers punished.

E.S.I limit has been raised from Rs 7500/- to Rs 10000 on 1.10.2006

COVERAGE UNDER THE ESI ACT, 1948 The Act was originally applicable to non-seasonal factories using power and employing 20 or more persons; but it is now applicable to non-seasonal power using factories employing 10 or more persons and non-power using factories employing 20 or more persons. Under Section 1(5) of the Act, the Scheme has been extended to shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas including preview theatre, road motor transport undertakings and newspaper establishment employing 20 or more persons. The existing wage-limit for coverage under the Act, is Rs.10,000/- per month (with effect from 1.10.2006).