Shimla, July 4 (Reporter) The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has launched a major employment-linked incentive (ELI) scheme under the union government, offering financial benefits to both first-time employees and employers. Speaking at a press conference in Shimla, Regional Commissioner Rakesh Kumar said that employees registering with EPFO for the first time can receive up to Rs. 15,000 in two installments. This applies to employees earning up to Rs1 lakh per month. The first installment is payable after six months of service, and the second after one year, following the completion of a financial literacy programme. A portion of the incentive will be deposited in a savings account, to be withdrawn later. The scheme aims to benefit around 1.92 crore employees and will remain active till 2029 for the construction sector and for two years for other sectors. Employers too will get incentives of up to Rs 3,000 per month for hiring new employees with a minimum six-month tenure. For manufacturing sector employers, the benefit extends up to four years. Establishments must hire at least two or five new employees, depending on workforce size. Kumar urged all EPF members to activate their UAN and update KYC to avail of the benefits...////...