Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 8: The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme launched by the central government through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to generate around 20,000 to 25,000 jobs in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district under the jurisdiction of the EPFO Mangaluru regional office, informed regional commissioner Rajib Mukherjee.

Addressing a press meet on Monday, he said the scheme aims to reach 2,500 to 3,000 establishments in the district. Awareness camps are being conducted to promote the scheme, which focuses on creating employment opportunities and enhancing social security, especially in the manufacturing sector.

The scheme offers incentives to both employers and employees. For first-time job seekers, the government will provide EPF wage support of up to Rs 15,000 in two instalments. Employers creating new jobs will receive incentives for a period of two years.

Additional benefits under the scheme will be extended to the manufacturing sector for another two years, Mukherjee added.

The ELI scheme was announced as part of the Prime Minister's five-scheme package in the 2024–25 Union Budget. It aims to create 3.5 crore jobs over two years. The scheme benefits will apply to jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

Employees with a monthly salary of up to Rs 1 lac are eligible under the scheme. Employers with employees earning within this limit are entitled to incentives. The government will offer employers up to Rs 3,000 per new employee per month for two years, provided the job is retained for at least six months. In the manufacturing sector, incentives will be extended to the third and fourth years as well.

EPFO officials U Panduranga Kini, Nagendra Babu Gutti, Benny Lobo, and Anita R were present at the press conference.