Patiala, September 26, 2026: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), in association with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), hosted an awareness seminar focusing on the National Pension System (NPS) and its diverse advantages for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Patiala.
The high-level Industry Meet commenced with an opening address by Sh. Rakesh Bhalla, Chairman, Chandigarh UT Development Council, ASSOCHAM. In his welcome speech, Mr. Bhalla warmly greeted all the participating industry stakeholders from Patiala, highlighting how robust social security frameworks strengthen regional businesses and the local economy. He extended a special welcome to Sh. Ajinkya Deshpande, Assistant Manager, PFRDA, and Sh. Begraj Saini from HDFC Pension Management Company Limited.
Following an introductory round by the participating local MSME owners, a detailed session on the architecture and core benefits of the NPS was conducted by Shri Abhishek Dhiman, Assistant Manager, PFRDA. The collaborative session thoroughly educated the gathered industry leaders on how business owners can leverage NPS for long-term financial security and retirement planning for their workforce.
The Industry Meet also detailed the practical onboarding process, outlining the seamless digital and physical registration journeys managed through Points of Presence (PoPs) to ensure a smooth transition for employers.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session where PFRDA officials and industry experts addressed compliance and operational queries from the attendees, followed by a formal Vote of Thanks extended by ASSOCHAM.
