Thousands of former employees of JCT Mills in Phagwara moved closer to receiving their long-awaited statutory dues as the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) reconciliation process reached its final stage. Superannuation benefits were distributed to eligible beneficiaries during a function held on Thursday.
Key Developments in EPF Settlement
Additional Deputy Commissioner Randeep Singh Heer informed that JCT Trust has deposited Rs 114 crore with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) towards employees' provident fund dues. Out of this amount, Rs 81 crore pertains to the Phagwara unit, benefiting approximately 24,000 employees.
Heer disclosed that a 10-member joint team comprising officers of the EPFO and the Resolution Professional (RP) spent the past month reconciling service records and provident fund accounts of thousands of workers. The exercise involved verification of employment records, matching PF contributions, and resolving discrepancies accumulated over several years.
Timeline for Payment
With reconciliation now completed, officials expressed confidence that eligible workers would begin receiving their provident fund dues by the end of July or during the first week of August. This brings much-awaited relief to thousands of families who have been waiting for settlement of their retirement savings.
The announcement assumes significance as former JCT employees have repeatedly approached government authorities, public representatives, and courts over delays in the release of their statutory benefits after the company's operations ceased.
Superannuation Benefits Distributed
During Thursday's programme, superannuation benefits were also distributed. ADC Heer stated that 112 superannuation cases have now been cleared. Among these, 58 beneficiaries whose accumulated superannuation amount exceeded Rs 3 lakh have already received one-third of their entitled amount. These beneficiaries will receive regular pension payments either monthly or quarterly.
In another category, 10 beneficiaries with superannuation amounts below Rs 3 lakh were handed their cheques during the function. Officials further informed that 44 similar cases had already been settled in April 2026, leaving no pending superannuation claims after the present distribution.
Official Presence and Worker Relief
The cheques were distributed by Lok Sabha member Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal in the presence of ADC Heer, Phagwara SP Madhvi Sharma, SDM Navjot Sharma, Mayor Ram Pal Uppal, Umesh Garg, officials of the EPFO, and representatives of the JCT Workers' Union.
For thousands of retired employees and their families, the expected release of provident fund dues represents not merely a financial settlement but the culmination of a prolonged struggle for statutory entitlements. Workers' unions had organized demonstrations and submitted memoranda demanding early settlement of provident fund, gratuity, and superannuation claims.
Resolution Process
The insolvency resolution process and continuous coordination between the Resolution Professional, the EPFO, and district administration have gradually helped resolve these long-pending issues. With the reconciliation exercise now complete and funds already deposited, attention has shifted to the timely credit of PF amounts into workers' accounts.
The latest developments have raised hopes among former JCT employees that one of the longest-pending chapters arising from the closure of the iconic industrial unit is nearing its conclusion. Authorities assured that the remaining EPF payments are likely to be completed by the end of July or the beginning of August.
