Gratuity Act, Provident Fund, Pension Scheme
Gratuity Act, Provident Fund, Pension Scheme
Gratuity Act, Provident Fund, Pension Scheme
CA PRANAV CHANDAK
CHAPTER 7. PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, 1972
1.1 INTRODUCTION & APPLICABILITY OF THE ACT
The term ‘gratuity’ is derived from Latin word ‘gratuitous’.
The Act came into effect from 16.09.1972.
The Act applies to whole of India including J&K except plantations & Ports in J&K.
‘Gratuity’ means payment made by the employer to the employee at the time of termination of
his service either by retirement/superannuation/resignation/death of employee.
Gratuity is fully paid by the employer. No part of the gratuity comes from an employee’s salary.
This Act applies to the employees engaged in -
- Factories, Oilfields, Railway, Mines, Plantations, Ports,
- Shops or establishments where 10 or more employees are/were employed.
- Any other establishment notified by CG [Subject to prior notice of 2 Months].
PC Note: Act shall continue to apply even if the no. of employees fall below 10.
Disablement: Disablement which incapacitates an employee for work which he was capable of
performing before the accident or disease resulting in such disablement.
Amount of gratuity payable to an employee shall not exceed 20 Months’ wages [Section 4(2)].
Maximum gratuity payable = Rs. 20 lakhs. [Section 4(2)].
PC Note Seasonal Establishment’s Employee → Gratuity shall be paid @ seven days’ wages for each season.
Piece-rated employee: Daily wages = Average of total wages for Last 3 months (Overtime All. - X).
Note Employee shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before forfeiture of gratuity.
PC Note Right to receive gratuity by the employee is the statutory right. It cannot be withheld under any
circumstances but for the exception enumerated in Section 4(6).
1.6 NOMINATION [SECTION 6] [V. IMP]
Each employee, who has completed 1 year of service, shall make nomination in Form F.
Rule 6(1) Nomination shall be submitted in duplicate either in person or through reg. post.
Employee already in employment for 1 year or more on date of commencement of these rules:
- Within 90 days from date of commencement of these rules.
Employee who completes 1 year of service after the date of commencement of these rules:
- Within 30 days of completion of 1 year of service.
Late Nomination shall be accepted by employer if filed with reasonable grounds for delay.
Rule 6(6) Nomination shall take effect from the date of receipt by the employeer.
1.7 DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF GRATUITY [SECTION 7]
As soon as gratuity becomes payable, employer shall determine the amount of gratuity (whether
employee has made application or not). [Determination of gratuity payable – Employer’s Duty]
Then, he shall give notice (Form L) to the person to whom gratuity is payable & also to Controlling
Authority (herein referred as C.A), specifying the amount of gratuity so determined.
Employer shall arrange to pay gratuity within 30 days from the date of becoming payable.
If not paid within stipulated period, employer is liable to pay interest @ 10% p.a.
No interest will be payable if delay in payment is due to fault of employee & employer has obtained
permission in writing from C.A for the delayed payment.
If claim for gratuity is not found admissible, notice shall be issued in Form ‘M’ to the employee,
nominee or legal heir specifying reasons why the claim for gratuity is not considered admissible.
Dispute If there is a dispute regarding amount of gratuity, employer shall deposit gratuity with C.A.
- C.A shall (after inquiry & after giving both parties reasonable OOBH) determine gratuity payable
- If any excess amount than deposited is payable, C.A shall direct employer to pay excess amount.
- Then, Controlling Authority shall pay the amount of the deposit to the applicant (employee)
Note: Where applicant is not employee: to the nominee/heir of employee (if C.A is satisfied
that there is no dispute as to right of applicant to receive amount of gratuity).
If person charged as actual offender by the employer cannot be brought before the court at the
time appointed for hearing the charge:
- court shall adjourn the hearing from time to time for a period not exceeding 3 months &
- if by the end of said period, person charged as the actual offender cannot still be brought
before the court, court shall proceed to hear the charge against the employer &
- shall convict the employer if the offence be proved.
PENALTIES [SECTION 9]
If any person for avoiding any payment knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement
false representation → Punishable with imprisonment upto 6 months or fine upto Rs. 1,000 or both.
Employer who contravenes or makes default in complying with any provisions or rules or order,
punishable with imprisonment upto 1 year, or with fine upto Rs. 1,000 or both.
If offence relates to non-payment of any gratuity, employer shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which shall not be less than 3 months unless court trying the offence is of opinion
(reasons recorded in writing) that lesser imprisonment or only fine would meet the ends of justice.
Not IMP NOTICE OF OPENINGS, CHANGE & CLOSURE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT [RULE 3]
Notice to be submitted by the employer to the Controlling Authority of the area
Notice in Form A: Within 30 days of the rules becoming applicable to an establishment.
Notice in Form B: within 30 days of any change in name, address, employer or nature of business.
Notice in Form C: 60 days before an employer intends to close down the business.
Following three schemes have been framed under the Act by CG:
1. The Employees’ Provident Fund Schemes, 1952;
2. The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995; &
3. The Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme; 1976.
The Act is now applicable to employees drawing a pay not exceeding Rs. 15,000 per month.
The Act extends to whole of India except Jammu & Kashmir.
Pay = Basic wages + Dearness Allowance + Retaining Allowance + Cash value of food concession.
Case Laws School rightly covered under PF when principal has affirmed about employment of 20 employees.
Contribution
Employer is to contribute 8.33% of the basic wages, dearness allowance & retaining allowance,
if any of the concerned employees as may be specified in the pension scheme.
There is no contribution from the employee.
Contribution is not payable by the employer when employee crosses 58 years of age since the
scheme ceases on completion of 58 years.
Pension Fund
A pension fund has been created for the purpose of this scheme.
Pension Fund shall vest in and administered by the Central Board.
Pension scheme may provide for all or any of the matters in Schedule II, as detailed below -
- Employees or class of employees to whom the Pension scheme shall apply;
- Portion of employers’ contribution to PF which shall be entitled to Pension Fund & its manner;
- Minimum qualifying service for being eligible for pension & manner in which the employees
may be granted the benefits of their past service;
- Regulation of the manner in which & period of service, for which no contribution is received;
- Manner in which the employees’ interest will be protected against default in payment of
contribution by the employer;
- Manner in which accounts of Pension fund shall be kept and investment of moneys belonging
to Pension Fund to be made subject to such pattern of investment as determined by CG;
- Form in which an employee shall furnish particulars about himself & members of his family
- Forms, registers & records to be maintained i.r.o. employees, required for administration;
- Scale of pension & pensionary benefits & conditions relating to the grant of such benefits;
- Manner in which the exempted establishments have to pay contribution towards the pension
scheme and the submission of returns relating thereto;
- Mode of disbursement of pension and arrangements to be entered into with such disbursing
agencies as may be specified for the purpose;
- Manner in which expenses for administering the Pension Scheme will be met from income
income of the Pension Fund;
- Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Pension Scheme or which may be
necessary for the purpose of implementation of the Pension Scheme.
Contribution
Deposit Linked Insurance Fund has been created for this purpose.
Employer shall pay amount not being more than 1% of basic wages + DA + Retaining allowance.
Employer shall pay such further amount not exceeding 1/4th of contribution which is required to
made as determined by CG to meet all expenses in connection with administration of the scheme
other than the expenses towards the cost of any benefits provided by or under that scheme.
PC Note: If monthly pay > Rs. 15,000, contribution payable is restricted Rs. 15,000.