ATM
View an SBI ATM kiosk just before its closure at 10 PM in Silchar. Image - Northeast Now

Several rules including those for ATMs and pensioners have changed from Friday.

According to the changed rules, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will start giving out full pensions from May to those who opted for commutation at the time of retirement.

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A commutation is an option given to pensioners to convert a part of their monthly pension into an upfront lump sum payment at the time of their retirement.

The full pension is restored after some time, 15 years in this case. The government, in February, had notified the restoration.

It is estimated that the move will benefit 630,000 pensioners every month.

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The move will cost the government Rs 1,500 crore at a time when it is facing a crunch due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EPFO also allowed employers to file monthly provident fund (PF) returns without making simultaneous payment of dues.

This will give relief to about 6 lakh firms.

It was also decided that a new system will be put in place for ATMs to prevent COVID-19 infection.

As per the new rule, an ATM will be cleaned to make it infection-free after every use.

In a COVID-19 hotspot area, the municipal corporation will sanitise ATMs twice in a day and if it is not done so, then the ATM will be closed.