Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 15: The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Labour Department, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, and the Regional Employees’ Provident Fund Office (EPFO), Sri Vijaya Puram recently organized a sensitization programme on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) at Sri Vijaya Puram.
The programme, attended by over 30 prospective employers, aimed to raise awareness about the Government of India’s landmark Rs. 1 lakh crore initiative to generate over 3.5 crore jobs nationwide from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2027.
Vishakh OT, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Labour Department, A&N Administration welcomed the gathering, setting the stage for an engaging and informative session. He informed that with the cooperation and support of employers and employees of the A&N Islands, more than 100 employers and employees have already registered on the PMVBRY portal. Shri Kaushik Roy, Regional EPF Commissioner, EPFO, Sri Vijaya Puram presented an overview of the scheme, outlining its key objectives and expected impact.
Distinguished guest Shri Shivakant Kumar, Deputy Secretary (Labour), interacted directly with employers and clarified their queries regarding the scheme. He elaborated on the objectives and key features of the PM-VBRY, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to generate over 3.5 crore jobs between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027. Shri Kumar emphasized that the scheme will contribute significantly towards the Government’s Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision by promoting large-scale employment creation, especially for first-time job seekers. He urged employers to utilize the scheme to expand employment opportunities and support sustainable economic growth, encouraging all employers and workers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to register at pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in and participate in this transformative initiative.
Key features of the PM-VBRY include:
• Benefits for Employees: First-time workers registered with EPFO, earning up to Rs. 1 lakh per month, will receive up to Rs. 15,000 in two instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after 6 and 12 months of continuous service, upon completing a Financial Literacy Course.
• Benefits for Employers: Monthly incentives of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 per new hire, based on wage brackets, for two years (four years for manufacturing units). Employers with fewer than 50 employees must hire at least two new workers annually, while those with over 50 employees must hire at least five.
• Eligibility: Employees must have Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, a Universal Account Number (UAN), and EPFO registration. Employers must be EPFO-registered and file monthly Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR).
• Implementation: The scheme is managed by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and EPFO, with registration available via the PMVBRY portal (pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in) or the UMANG app.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Vaibhav Kumar, Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), acknowledging the participation of employers and stakeholders.