More new members in EPFO now, says Joshi

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has said that following initiatives taken by the Union government in providing and facilitating employment, the number of new members in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had increased.

Inaugurating the 16th Rozgar Mela organised in association with South Western Railway in Hubballi on Saturday, Mr. Joshi said that during 2014 there were 23.73 crore EPFO members and it had increased significantly owing to more youths getting employment.

“After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, several initiatives had been taken to provide employment through government departments, public sector undertakings, banks and other organisations. At the same time, employment generation in the private sector was also encouraged leading to more number of new members in EPFO,” he said, adding that the increased number of EPFO members was the answer to the Opposition parties which were raising the issue of unemployment repeatedly.

Mr. Joshi said that in Indian Railways alone, 8,400 candidates had been recruited of late and SWR had recruited 1,135. Shortly the recruitment for 3,500 posts in Railways would be held, he said.

Mr. Joshi also said that under the Modi regime, the employment for women had increased from 20% in 2014 to 40% now.

The Union Minister said that following the steps taken by the Centre, the nation’s economy was growing at a faster pace and already India had become the fourth largest economy in the world. “Very soon it will be the third biggest economy,” he said.

He said that in the last decade, 40,000 km of railway lines had been electrified and the government was providing free foodgrains through the public distribution system to 80 crore people.

“Self sufficiency has been achieved in power generation and country’s infrastructure has improved a lot. Under Mr. Modi’s leadership the country was progressing rapidly,” he said.

On the occasion, selected candidates were given appointment orders.

Earlier, Mr. Modi inaugurated the mela via virtual mode. General Manager of SWR Mukul Saran Mathur, Divisional Railway Manager Bela Meena and other officials were present.