Time extension given for filing ESI contributions for February until 15th May!
Posted on: 15/Apr/2020 2:53:02 PM
The central government has decided to extend the deadline for filing contributions under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for February till May 15, in the wake of the lockdown to counter the COVID-19 outbreak.
Officials said that the government will also extend the ECR (electronic challan-cum-receipt) deadline for submission of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for March after receiving representations to extend the deadline from April 15 by 30-60 days.
A Labour Ministry statement said that many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work due to the COVID-19 crisis.
“In line with the relief measures being extended by the government to business entities and workers, ESIC has taken steps for its stakeholders, especially employers and insured persons, besides strengthening its medical resources to fight COVID-19.”
Earlier, the period for filing ESI contributions for February and March was extended to April 15 and May 15, respectively.
It further stated that this has now been further extended to May 15 for February. The period for filing contribution for March is also May 15.
It also said that during the extended period, no penalty or interest will be levied on establishments. Around Rs. 3.49 Crores of insured persons (IPs) and 1211174 employers are expected to make use of the extension of the period for filing the return.
Some other relief measures have also been undertaken for IPs and beneficiaries. Purchase of medicines by ESI beneficiaries from private chemists during the lockdown period and its subsequent reimbursement by ESIC has been permitted, it added. A provision has also been made for providing medical services to IPs and beneficiaries from tie-up hospitals if an ESIC hospital is declared as a dedicated COVID-19 facility.
A medical benefit is provided under Rule 60-61 to the IPs who cease to be in insurable employment on account of permanent disablement and to the retired IPs on payment of advance lump-sum contribution for a year at the rate of Rs 10 per month.
Under prevailing circumstances of lockdown, there may be cases where the validity of medical benefit cards issued to these beneficiaries expire, as they are unable to deposit the advance annual lump-sum contribution. Such beneficiaries have been allowed to avail medical benefit under Rule 60 and 61 of ESI (Central Rules) till June 30, the Ministry’s statement noted.
It further said that the payment of about Rs 41 crore in respect of permanent disablement benefit and dependants’ benefit has been transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries in the month of March.
