Maharashtra Minimum Wages

Government of Maharashtra vide Notification dated 05-Feb-2024, notified the minimum wages in Maharashtra effective from 01-Jan-2024 to 30-Jun-2024.

Declaration of Holiday for Pran Prathista ceremony in Ayodhya:

EPFO Head office, New Delhi vide circular dated 18-Jan-2024 declared half day working for its offices till 02:30 PM on 22^nd Jam, 2024, on account of Ram Lalla Pran Prathista ceremony.

ESIC Headquarters vide circular dated 19-Jan-2024declared half day working for its offices till 02:30 PM on 22^nd Jam, 2024, on account of Ram Lalla Pran Prathista ceremony.

Several states declared public holiday on the occasion of Ram Lalla Pran Prathista Celebration at Ayodhya on 22^nd Jan. Also, few states like Haryana and New Delhi declared half day working for all government offices.

Karnataka Compulsory Gratuity Insurance Rules, 2024

The Government of Karnataka vide Gazette Notification No. 18 dated 10-Jan-2024, notified the Karnataka Compulsory Gratuity Insurance Rules, 2024 which mandates every employer of existing private establishments to obtain insurance policy to cover liability for payment of gratuity within 60 days i.e., 10-Mar-2024 and submit an application for registration within 30 days. A gratuity trust is made for establishments with head count of above 500, wherein representation shall be of both employer and employees in the board of 5 trustees with a rider that money shall not be withdrawn from the gratuity trust either by the employer or the board of trustees.

Regulation of EPS entitlement of members having Multiple account numbers

EPFO vide circular dated 29-Jan-2024 has reiterated the guidelines issued to regulate EPS entitlement in case an EPS member possesses multiple account numbers for concurrent employment simultaneously in two or more establishments. The RO under which the establishment where the member joins while simultaneously being employed at another establishment is covered, has to make sure the total EPS contribution shall not exceed the contribution on wage ceiling of INR 15000. Further, if wages in a single establishment exceeds or the aggregate of wages at the time of joining exceeds the wage ceiling, the member is not eligible for EPS membership and the entire 24% contribution shall be retained in EPF account only.

Notification on the Puducherry Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2023

The Government of Puducherry vide Gazette Notification No.3 dated 18-Jan-2024, has notified the Puducherry Factories Rules, 1964 inter-alia amending Rule 4 increasing the fees payable for registration/renewal of factory license with effect from 18th January of 2024.

Corrigendum Regarding Female Workers Working After 7.00 P.M in Meghalaya

The Government of Meghalaya vide corrigendum dated 10-Jan-2024 has amended the instructions provided vide notification dated 19-Jul-2023 regarding permission for shops to remain open 365 days. It is now mandatory to take a written consent from the female worker if she is required to/willing to work after 7 PM. Additionally, it will be the responsibility of the employer to ensure safety and security of the female employees at work and also to make sure that they reach their home safely after work.

Implementation of the Digital Para 26(6) Joint Request for new joinees

EPFO vide circular dated 30-Jan-2024mandated a format under Para 26(6) only of the EPF Scheme, 1952for the members who are preferring to contribute on higher wages, for all new employees prospectively It should be noted that the members who have already contributing on pay above statutory limit and for whom the employers are already paying administrative charges need not file the request in the given format, retrospectively. The circular only covers cases.

Amendment of Karnataka Building Construction Workers Rules

Government of Karnataka vide Gazette notification No.23 dated 12-Jan-2024, notified the amendments to the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Karnataka) Rules, 2006.

POSH Annual Report Circular in Haryana

Government of Haryana vide Circular dated 20-Dec-2023, mandated all non-government establishments in Haryana to file the annual report for the calendar year on or before 30-Apr-2024 through email id posh-grg.rev@hry.gov.in.

Amendment of Karnataka Stamp Act

Government of Karnataka vide Gazette Notification No.058 dated 03-Feb-2024, notified the amendments to the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 inter-alia increasing the stamp duty of

• affidavit from INR 20 to 100
• loan agreements from 0.1% to 0.5%
• bond from 0.5% to 2%
• trust deed from INR 1000 to INR 2000.

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Bizprout Updates : February 2024