Blog

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an order dated 28th September 2022 extending the Containment measures for COVID-19 management, as conveyed MoHFW advisory

In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an order dated 28th August 2021 directing that order dated 29th June, 2021, that the containment measures for COVID-19, as conveyed vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) DO No. Z.28015/85/2021-DM Cell dated 28th June 2021, will remain in force upto 30th September, 2021.

In exercise of the powers conferred upon sub-section (1) of Section 97 of the Employees’ State Insurance Act 1948 (34 of 1948), the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, has notified ESIC COVID-19 RELIEF SCHEME under Section 19 of the Act as a welfare measure for the Insured Persons who are employees under Section 2(9) of the ESI Act under which in case of death of IP due to COVID-19, the eligible dependant family members of IP will be paid periodic payments directly to their bank accounts.

In order to enable citizens to travel in suburban trains, BMC has notified Offline Verification Procedure for Covid-19 Vaccination & issuing Railway Monthly Pass starting from 11th August 2021 from 7 am at suburban railway stations.

• Citizens who have completed 14 days after Covid second dose, are required to carry a hard copy of Covid-19 Vaccination Final Certificate and a Photo ID for verification.
• Those eligible after verification will be allowed to travel from 15th 2021 August onwards.
• A total of 358 Help desks to be set up at 53 railway stations in Mumbai Municipal Corporation area.
• Help desks to be opened at 109 stations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• Help desks will be operational in two consecutive sessions from 7 am to 11 pm.
• Citizens can approach the stations nearest to their house for verification.
• Citizens are requested not to crowd unnecessarily.
• Strict legal action will be taken if fake / bogus certificates are found

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has issued an order dated 28th July 2021, extending its earlier orders dated 29th June, 2021 on Covid Containment measures till 31.8.21.

Eligibility conditions of the scheme are as under: –
a) The IP who died due to COVID-19 disease must have been registered on the ESIC online portal at least three months prior to the date of diagnosis of COVID-19 disease resulting in his/ her death.
b) The deceased IP must have been in employment on the date of diagnosis of COVID-19 disease and contributions for at least 70 days should have been paid or payable in respect of him/ her during a period of maximum one year immediately preceding the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease resulting in death.

To support its subscribers during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, EPFO has now allowed its members to avail second non-refundable COVID-19 advance. The provision for special withdrawal to meet the financial need of members during pandemic was introduced in March 2020, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). An amendment to this effect was made by Ministry of Labour & Employment in Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 by inserting therein sub-para (3) under paragraph 68L, through notification in the Official Gazette.

Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is provided. Members can apply for lesser amount also.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced additional benefits for workers through ESIC and EPFO schemes to address the fear and anxiety of workers about well-being of their family members due to increase in incidences of death due to COVID -19 pandemic. Enhanced social security is sought to be provided to the workers without any additional cost to the employer.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification dated 27th May 2021extendind the Covid Containment measures till 30th June 2021.

At the time when the entire world is engulfed in COVID-19 pandemic, India has been proactively tackling the challenges through various measures undertaken by the Government – both at the Central and State level. Union Government has invoked its powers under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act 2005 and is taking all possible steps to contain the spread of virus.

Large number of corporates and non-government organisations (NGOs) have come forward to help the state governments by donating COVID related material such as medical oxygen concentrators and related accessories, ventilators, vaccine, medicine etc. Similarly, many corporates have implemented policies for COVID-19 relief for employees. Under this, companies are undertaking COVID-19 vaccination programmes for the benefit of their employees and family members. As a part of the vaccination programme, companies enter into contract with third party healthcare service providers for administering the vaccine to employees and their family members.

Further, in certain cases, companies are procuring oxygen concentrators / cylinders (OCs) for the welfare of its own employees by making it available to them, as and when they need it. The OCs may be procured either locally or imported from outside India. Similarly, in these difficult times, quarantine facilities (either in owned or leased premises or in hotels) and online doctor consultation facilities are also facilitated by the employer to its employees.

With respect to the above measures taken by the employer, there are ambiguities relating to input tax credit (ITC) eligibility and taxability of certain transactions. The same are detailed in the attached representation.