I wanted to reach out regarding the recently introduced Employment Linked Incentive Schemes from this year’s budget, part of the Prime Minister’s Package for Employment Growth. These schemes seem tailored to support first-time employees, incentivize manufacturing job creation, and encourage workforce expansion by offering various subsidies.
To summarize:
Scheme A provides a subsidy (up to ₹15,000) in installments for first-time employees. Scheme B incentivizes manufacturing sector growth with a tiered subsidy over four years. Scheme C offers quarterly reimbursements to companies that expand their workforce by a certain number of employees.
For those of you who have looked into this or started the application process, could you share insights on eligibility requirements, documentation, and the steps for companies to apply?
The ELI Scheme, introduced in the Union Budget 2024-25, comprises three components:
Scheme A: Provides a one-month wage (up to ₹15,000) in three installments to first-time employees registered with EPFO, with an eligibility limit of a salary up to ₹1 lakh per month.
Scheme B: Incentivizes job creation in the manufacturing sector by offering benefits based on EPFO contributions during the first four years of employment for first-time employees earning up to ₹1 lakh per month.
Scheme C: Supports employers by reimbursing up to ₹3,000 per month for two years towards their EPFO contribution for each additional employee with a salary up to ₹1 lakh per month.
To maximize participation in the ELI Scheme, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has directed EPFO to collaborate with employers to ensure UAN activation through Aadhaar-based OTP for all employees joining in the current financial year by November 30, 2024. This initiative aims to streamline access to EPFO’s online services, including provident fund account management and claim submissions.
Employers are advised to prioritize the activation of UANs and the seeding of bank accounts with Aadhaar to enable employees to fully benefit from the ELI Scheme. For detailed information, please refer to the EPFO circulars available on their official website.