On 20th May, 2025, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Common Services Centres (CSC) organized a live session in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to address EPFO-related grievances received through the CPGRAMS portal. This initiative reflects the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening citizen-centric governance and ensuring effective grievance redressal for all citizens.
Overview of the Live Session
Key Participants and Objectives
The virtual session, held on 20th May, 2025, brought together key dignitaries, including Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG; Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO); Shri Alok Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. The event also saw active participation from Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) across India, highlighting the grassroots-level engagement in governance.
The primary objective of the session was to address EPFO-related grievances logged on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), emphasizing the role of CSCs in delivering last-mile grievance redressal services.
Key Highlights of the Session
Insights and Reforms
Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO of CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd., underscored the pivotal role of CSCs in ensuring last-mile delivery of grievance redressal services. He highlighted how CSCs bridge the gap between citizens and government services, particularly in rural areas. Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG, presented a detailed analysis of EPFO-related grievance trends in 2025, stressing the need for greater awareness about the CPGRAMS platform and the critical role of VLEs in its implementation.
Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner, outlined recent EPFO reforms, including:
- Simplified processes for PF withdrawals.
- UAN generation through the UMANG platform.
- Streamlined account transfer procedures.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion between senior officials and VLEs from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, focusing on understanding citizens’ concerns and gathering field-level suggestions to enhance grievance redressal mechanisms.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Session | 20th May, 2025 |
| Organizers | DARPG, CSC, Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Key Participants | Shri V. Srinivas, Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Shri Alok Mishra, Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh |
| Focus | EPFO-related grievances via CPGRAMS |
| Key Reforms | Simplified PF withdrawals, UAN via UMANG, account transfers |
Significance of CPGRAMS and CSCs
Role in E-Governance
The CPGRAMS portal is a cornerstone of India’s e-governance framework, enabling citizens to lodge grievances and seek redressal from government departments. The collaboration with CSCs enhances accessibility, particularly in rural and remote areas, through the efforts of Village Level Entrepreneurs. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make grievance redressal systems more sensitive, accessible, and meaningful for all citizens.
The live session underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive governance by leveraging technology and grassroots networks to address citizens’ concerns effectively.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
For students preparing for competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, or State PSC, this development is highly relevant under topics like e-governance, citizen-centric administration, and current affairs. Aspirants should focus on:
- The role of DARPG and CSCs in grievance redressal.
- The functionality of the CPGRAMS portal and its impact on governance.
- Recent EPFO reforms and their significance for workers.
- The importance of VLEs in bridging the urban-rural divide in service delivery.
This session serves as a case study for understanding the integration of technology and governance in modern India.
Key Highlights
- A live session was conducted on 20th May, 2025, by DARPG and CSC to address EPFO-related grievances on the CPGRAMS portal.
- Key dignitaries included Shri V. Srinivas, Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthi, and Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh.
- EPFO reforms highlighted include simplified PF withdrawals, UAN generation via UMANG, and account transfers.
- The session emphasized the role of VLEs in last-mile grievance redressal and the need for CPGRAMS awareness.
- Relevant for competitive exams under e-governance, citizen-centric administration, and current affairs.