JUDGMENT :

Ujjal Bhuyan, J.

Heard Mr.P.Shanker Rao Patil, learned counsel for the appellant and Dr. B.Manoj Kumar, learned Standing Counsel for Employment Provident Fund Organization appearing for the respondent- Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II.

2. This appeal has been preferred by the appellant against the order dated 18.08.2022 passed by the learned Single Judge disposing of W.P.No.32932 of 2022 filed by the appellant as the petitioner.

3. It may be mentioned that two orders were passed by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, both dated 25.07.2022.

4. First one is an order under Section 14-B of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. A perusal of the said order would go to show that appellant was required to pay Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions within 15 days, but failed to make such payment. Payments were made belatedly. Summons were issued under Section 14B of the Act for payment of penal damages for belated remittance of the EPF contributions for the period from October, 2017 to October, 2021. After hearing the matter, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner passed the order calling upon the appellant to pay a sum of Rs.72,25,403/-