Dear All,
The rule is that employer employing 20 or more staff, has to deduct PF @ 12% on the salary paid. This deduction shall be done only from those employees whose basic+DA exceeds 6500/- per month. So, in case each of the 20 staff have basic+DA less than 6500/- per month, employer need not deduct PF. And in cases of staff whose basic+DA exceeds 6500/- per month, employer can chose to deduct PF on 6500/- i.e for PF calculation, employer can restrict the actual basic+DA to this limit or alternatively employer can chose to deduct PF on actual basic+DA paid to staff .
Employer can also chose to deduct PF on salary paid to employees even if there basic + DA is less than 6500/- as PF act has prescribed the condition for mandatory deduction of PF. But employer has liberty to deduct and deposit PF at their wish as it is a social security contribution for the benefit of the staff.
Sudhanshu