1. Election related Public Holidays in several States of India

Below governments have issued election related holiday declarations:

1. Karnataka Government vide Notification dated 26-Apr-2023 and Chief Election Officer vide letter dated 26-Apr-2023, have declared paid holiday to eligible employees of factories and Shops/Commercial establishments in Karnataka on 10-May-2023 under Section 3A of the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National Festival & Holidays) Act, 1963.
2. Himachal Pradesh Government vide Notice dated 26-Apr-2023 has declared paid holiday on 10-May-2023 for such employees who are working in Himachal Pradesh but who have right to vote in Jalandhar parliamentary constituency of Punjab State, to cast their vote.
3. Uttar Pradesh Government vide notice dated 20-Apr-2023 has declared public holidays on account of elections to be held in different constituencies in two phases on 04-May-2023 and 11-May-2023.

2. Extension of Profession Tax annual return due date in West Bengal

West Bengal Government vide Order dated 27-Apr-2023 notified extension of due date for online filing of return for the financial year ending 31-Mar-2023 from 30-Apr-2023 to 31-May-2023.

3. Order on keeping open shops for 365 days in Tamil Nādu

Tamil Nādu government vide Gazette Notification dated 23-Mar-2023 permitted shops and establishments in Tamil Nadu to keep open on all 365 days for a period of three (3) years with effect from 23-Mar-2023 subject to certain conditions including providing one day weekly holiday on rotation basis.

4. Mandatory Online CLRA Registration in Puducherry

Government of Puducherry vide Order dated 25-Apr-2023, mandated online submission of application for registration of establishments under Contract Labour Act (CLRA) and Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act.

5. Amendment of Child Labour Rules in Punjab

Government of Punjab vide Gazette dated 21-Apr-2023 notified amendments to the Punjab Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules, 1997, by including clauses relating to employment of chid artistes among other amendments.

6. Minimum Wages revision in Delhi and Haryana

Government of NCT of Delhi vide Order dated 20-Apr-2023 revised the dearness allowance payable with effect from 01-Apr-2023 payable for clerical and supervisory staff in all scheduled employments.

Government of Haryana vide Order dated 26-Apr-2023 notified the minimum wages payable to different scheduled employments in Haryana effective retrospectively from the date of 01-Jan-2023.

7. Amendment of Goa Factories Rules

Government of Goa vide Notification dated 18-Apr-2023 amended the Factory Rules wherein inter-alia rule is amended to allow female workers between 7 pm to 6 am and a new schedule is added to allow compounding of offences such as not maintaining registers etc.

8. Amendment of Punjab Shops Rules for name board in Gurumukhi Script

Government of Punjab vide Gazette Notification dated 31-Mar-2023 notified the amendment to Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958 by adding rules relating to exhibition of name board in Gurumukhi script above any other languages, within 6 (six) months failing which a fine up to rupees one thousand is payable.

9. Amendment of Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund Act

Government of Maharashtra vide Gazette Notification dated 11-Apr-2023 amended Section 17A of the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund act, 1953 by removing the imprisonment for a term of three months to six months with fine amount of rupees one lakh to two lakh rupees, for failing to produce any registers/records for inspection. Further the minimum fine amount is increased from rupees fifty to rupees five hundred.

10. EPF due date Extension for Higher Pension

Ministry of Labour and Employment vide Press Release dated 03-May-2023, extended the due date for filing application for higher pension from 03-May-2023 to 26-Jun-2023.

11. EPF circular on deletion of application for Higher Pension

Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) vide Circular dated 03-May-2023 notified that in those cases in which the employer has not already acted on the application for validation of option/joint option for higher pension, the employees have been provided with a button for deleting the application.

12. EPF circular for scrutiny of joint options submitted by employee and employer.

EPFO vide Circular dated 23-Apr-2023 has issued an internal circular to the provident fund commissioners to scrutinize the joint option forms to contribute on actual (higher) pay along with undertaking by employer to pay administrative charges on higher pay. The parameters prescribed is for both for scrutiny of EPF as well as EPF joint options. The scrutiny process involves rejection of options if found not eligible and informing members with reasons and an opportunity will be given for providing additional proof or evidence to correct mistakes.

13. Labour Code Implementation for Higher Pension Contribution

Ministry of Labour and Employment vide Press Release dated 03-May-2023 and Gazette Notification dated 03-May-2023 has amended Code on Social Security, 2020 that effective from 1-Sep-2014, for such employees who have exercised joint option under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 to contribute on higher pension, the employer’s contribution is increased from 8.33% to 9.49% of basic wages, dearness allowance/retaining allowance which exceeds rupees fifteen thousand per month.

COMPLIANCES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2023

Bizprout Updates : May 2023