The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has initiated “VISHWAS 2026,” a one-time scheme aimed at resolving disputes related to penalties or damages under specific acts. VISHWAS 2026 focuses on encouraging compliance, reducing legal conflicts, and swiftly settling long-standing disputes while protecting employees’ interests. Employers can utilize this transparent and digital platform to resolve eligible cases within a set timeframe by applying online through the EPFO Employer Portal using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or e-Sign.
The scheme, effective from June 29, 2026, will operate for six months and covers various case categories, including those under challenge in judicial forums, pending penalty orders, cases with pending recovery, and those awaiting penalty notices. VISHWAS 2026 offers reduced recalculated rates for penalties or damages incurred before June 14, 2024, to expedite dispute resolutions. Employers seeking benefits under the scheme must ensure full remittance of applicable interest before applying and commit to not pursuing further appeals related to settled disputes.
Detailed provisions within the scheme address adjustments of paid amounts, pre-deposits for appeals, and fair settlement practices, with exclusions for cases involving fraud, misappropriation, or incomplete statutory interest deposits. EPFO has issued operational guidelines and established dedicated cells to facilitate smooth implementation, assist employers, and ensure timely processing and monitoring at various levels for effective scheme execution.
