Kochi: Thousands of applicants for higher PF (provident fund) pensions are anxious because the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has sent them repeated SMS messages saying it has yet to receive their applications and that the last date for the purpose was January 31.

Incidentally, employers have to submit the applications to the EPFO. However, the SMS has been sent not only to employees who applied for a higher pension through their employers and those who gave the necessary explanation sought by the EPFO but also to those who have already started receiving the higher pension.

While the SMS warned the employees that applications submitted after January 31 would be rejected, EPFO authorities said there was no need to worry as the automated computer system sent the messages. They said all applications approved by the employers and submitted to the EPFO would be considered. However, the last date to apply was extended to January 31 to enable employees who could not submit their applications owing to the failure of the employers to do so, the EPFO officials added.

Employees who received the SMS have contacted the establishments where they work to clarify the matter. At the same time, the regional offices of the EPFO have informed the establishments that there was no cause for concern.

Employees feel that they were receiving the SMS as their applications were not properly recorded in the PF office accounts.

Meanwhile, legal experts said that sending such an SMS violated the law. EPFO has the responsibility to collect applications for higher pensions from employers. According to the law, EPFO cannot demand applications from employees or deny pensions, citing their failure to apply on time.

According to data, 17.48 lakh employees have applied for higher pensions in the country, of which only around 8,000 have received pension payment orders. Approximately one lakh applicants have received the demand notice mentioning their share of their arrears.