News Desk
15 October 2025, 04:39 PM IST
Opposition parties decry these changes as “draconian” and “robbery,” accusing the government of punishing the salaried class due to economic mismanagement
New Delhi: The opposition on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government over the newly amended EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) rules, accusing it of punishing India’s salaried class for what they called the government’s economic mismanagement.
Under the new provisions, approved by the Central Board of Trustees led by Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, unemployed EPFO members can now withdraw their provident fund only after 12 months of joblessness instead of the earlier two-month period. The pension withdrawal period has also been extended from two months to 36 months, and 25% of the member’s contribution will remain locked in the account until retirement.
Opposition leaders branded the rules “draconian” and demanded they be scrapped immediately. Congress MP Manickam Tagore described the move as “cruelty,” alleging that jobless workers were being punished for needing access to their own savings. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, calling the changes “robbery, not reform.”
TMC MP Saket Gokhale called the amendments “shocking and ridiculous,” saying they amount to “open theft” of people’s earnings. He questioned how middle-class families could survive a year of unemployment when their savings remain blocked, and accused the government of anticipating higher joblessness due to “terrible economic policies.”
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed echoed the criticism, saying the changes were being falsely presented as “simplification” while effectively locking 25% of contributors’ funds until retirement and tripling the waiting period for withdrawals.
Meanwhile, officials explained that the decision was aimed at ensuring long-term social security coverage for formal sector workers. Many unemployed individuals rejoin the EPFO under new employers within months, often losing pension eligibility, which requires at least 10 years of combined service. Extending withdrawal timelines, officials said, will help maintain continuity of coverage and protect workers’ pension benefits.
The opposition, however, maintained that the move represents an assault on the financial independence of workers, with MPs from multiple parties urging Minister Mandaviya to roll back the amendments immediately.
With inputs from PTI
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