EPFO issues arrest warrant against Darj tea estate director

Darjeeling: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a warrant of arrest against Saurav Garg, director of M/s Longview Tea Estate in Pankhabari, Kurseong, over alleged non-payment of provident fund dues amounting to Rs 7.30 crore.The warrant, issued on May 19 by Ankit Srivastava, assistant provident fund commissioner and recovery officer, regional office Siliguri, was sent to the officer-in-charge of Kurseong police station under Section 8(B)(2) of the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.Police were directed to arrest Garg and produce him before the recovery officer at Bhavishyanidhi Bhawan, Siliguri, "as soon as practicable and in any event within 24 hours."According to EPFO records, the unpaid dues relate to multiple periods between 2013 and 2022, with the largest liability of over Rs 3.18 crore covering May 2015 to March 2019.The warrant stated that interest and additional charges may further increase the recoverable amount. It also said Garg could be released only if the entire dues were immediately cleared through a demand draft.The development comes amid continuing unrest at the tea estate, where workers have been protesting over unpaid wages and statutory dues.