Date of Filing
Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) for Wage Month March, 2020 Extended Up to
15.05.2020 from 15.04.2020
Move Incentivises About 6 Lakh Establishments
for Salary Payments during Lockdown Period
Considering
the unprecedented situation created by COVID-19 and lockdown announced by the
Central Government from 24.03.2020 midnight onwards to prevent the spread of
Covid-19, the due date for filing of Electronic Challan Cum Return (ECR) for
wage month March, 2020 is extended up to 15.05.2020 for employers who have
paid wages to their employees for March, 2020.
The due
date for March, 2020 is ordinarily 15.04.2020, so grace period of thirty days
has been allowed to the establishments covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952 to
remit the contributions and administrative charges due for March, 2020
The above
decision of Ministry of Labour and Employment is to support and provide relief
to Employers of establishments which have disbursed wages for March, 2020 to
its employees and an incentive to employers for wage payment to employees
during COVID-19 pandemic. The move is in keeping with the objective of the
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to prevent disruption in employment and
ensure earning to employees to help them fight the pandemic.
This
relief will benefit about 6 lakh establishments to file ECRs without default by
paying salary to about 5 crore employees.
The
employers have to declare the date of disbursement of wage for March, 2020 in
the ECR for March, 2020.
The ECR,
with the said declaration, and contributions and administrative charges for
March, 2020 are now due on or before 15.05.2020.
The
employers disbursing the wages for March, 2020 not only get relief of extension
of due date for payment of EPF dues for March, 2020 but also avoid liability of
interest and penalty, if they remit on or before 15.05.2020.
DISCLAIMER: The article is based on the relevant provisions and
as per the information existing at the time of the preparation. in no event i
shall be liable for any direct and indirect result from this article. this is
only a knowledge sharing initiative.
THE AUTHOR – CS Deepak Seth (Associate Partner at
Helpinghands Professionals LLP) and can be reached at contacthhpro@gmail.com or
9910248911.
 for Wage Month March, 2020 Extended Up to 15.05.2020 from 15.04.2020){kind=link}
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