NLCF holds 42nd AGM; clears doubts of delegates on EPF

The apex body of labour cooperatives NLCF recently concluded its 42nd Annual General Meeting in New Delhi where delegates from across the country took part and raised a range of issues including the issue of Employees Provident Fund.

One of the delegates Vithal Rao Vaje from Nashik, Maharashtra asked, “Is it mandatory for a labour cooperative society to get the EPF registration for getting work from the department?“, he asked from the BoD present on the dais.

Answering the query, one of the NLCF Directors from Jalandhar, Amit Bajaj quoted the judgement delivered in the case of Nawanshahr District Cooperative, Labour & Construction societies Union Limited where it is intimated that according to sec 16 (1) (a) of EPF & MP act, 1952 this act shall not apply to any establishment registered under the coop societies act 1912 (2 of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any state relating to the coop societies employing less than 50 persons and working without the aid of power”, he said while giving the copy of judgement to this correspondent.

One of the delegates from Haryana urged the management to hold the training programs to explain how to deal with GST and Income Tax Returns.

Presidential speech was given by NLCF Director Ashok Dabas because apex body Chairman Sanjeev Kushalkar was not feeling well, though he was present on the occasion. In his speech Dabas said, “NLCF has submitted a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture of India for releasing Grant-in-aid to execute the promotional activities as well as conduct skill development training programs.” Incidently, Dabas is connected to BJP is an official of its Co-op Cell.

“NLCF has conducted 6 LDP programs, 9 Member awareness programs and 3 skill development programs in the year 2017-18. The labour cooperative movement faced several problems including -tendering, EPF”, he asserted.

Talking to this correspondent, Managing Director, Pratibha Ahuja said, “NLCF in the last FY 2017-18 earned a profit of about Rs 3 lakhs but presently its loss is about a crore.

Earlier, the NLCF MD presented the agenda before the delegates which was unanimously passed.

Ramesh Ramhutt, Ramkumar Shukla, Haryana State Labour Cooperative Society, MD, Virendra Dhaiya and others were also present on the occasion. More than 60 delegates from across states participated in the AGM. Rama Kumar, a delegate from UP entertained the audience by singing songs on cooperatives.

The program was coordinated by V.K. Chauhan, Assistant Director NLCF. Ram Kumar Shukla, Government Nominee, proposed a vote of thanks.