Govt may allow EPFO to invest in cash-starved infra sector through AIFs

At present, the EPFO is mandated to invest 20-45 per cent of its incremental funds (of around Rs 1.5 trillion) in debt-related instruments

The Centre is planning to bring in special changes to the regulation of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), enabling it to invest in the cash-starved infrastructure sector through alternative investment funds (AIFs), said a finance ministry official.

The development is part of the central government’s strategy to channelise domestic savings and assets into infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign investors.

An initial estimate says domestic assets of about Rs 16 trillion can be channelised into infrastructure if the government liberalises the investment guidelines on such funds.

The central government is learnt to be in talks with regulatory bodies and