LOTUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Vs. EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this present petition being aggrieved by the order dtd. 12/6/2025 passed under Sec. 14-B of Employees Provident Fund Act, whereby damage to the tune of Rs.72,477.00 has been imposed. The petitioner has also challenged the order dtd. 12/6/2025 passed under Sec. 7-Q of Employees Provident Fund Act by imposing the penal interest to the tune of Rs.40,687.00. So far the order passed under Sec. 14- B is concerned, the petitioner is having remedy of appeal before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal (CGIT). So far the interest imposed under Sec. 7-Q is concerned, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ready to deposit the amount if the facility of installments is given. Shri Sanjay Sharma, Advocate has submitted that in case the petitioner deposits the amount within a fixed period, then the said facility may be given to him.

(2.) Shri Sanjay Sharma, Advocate for the respondents has produced the circular dtd. 11/2/2014 issued by the Chief Provident Fund Commissioner to all Regional Provident Fund Commissioners in respect of grant of installments facility to the establishment for liquidating the arrears. Para 2 to 6 of circular dtd. 11/2/2014 are reproduced below :-

(3.) The petition is accordingly disposed off with liberty to the petitioner to submit a representation in terms of the aforesaid circular and the respondent shall consider the same. In case the representation is preferred by the petitioner as aforesaid, then his bank account shall be unfrozen, but if subsequently it is found that there is any non-compliance on part of the petitioner, it shall be lawful for the respondents to again freeze his account.