AICPIN for November 2019 increased by 3 Points

All India Consumer Price Index numbers for the month of November 2019 increased by 3 Points and pegged at 328. This increase will push the DA rate to the level of 20% from January 2020

Labour Bureau released the following Press Release to declare the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – November, 2019

The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2019 increased by 3 points and pegged at 328 (three hundred and twenty eight). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.92 per cent between October and November, 2019 whereas no change observed during corresponding months of last year.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.98 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Arhar Dal, Moong DaI, Urd Dal, Goat Meat, Poultry Chicken, Milk Cow, Garlic, Onion, Cabbage, Carrot, Green Coriander Leaves, Lady Finger, Potato, Hot Drink- Tea Readymade, Cooking Gas, Fire Wood. Etc. are responsible to the increase in index.

However, this increase was checked by Fish Fresh, Chillies Green, Ginger, Banana, Cauliflower, Coconut, French Beans, Gourd, Lemon, Orange, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Electricity Charges, Toilet Soap, etc., putting downward pressure on the index. Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 8.61 per cent for November, 2019 as compared to 7.62 per cent for the previous month and 4.86 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 9.87 per cent against 8.60 per cent of the previous month and (-) 1.57 per cent during the corresponding month of an year ago.

At centre level, Rourkela observed the maximum increase of 14 points followed by Kodarma (12 points), Madurai (9 points) and Salem (8 points). Among others, 7 points increase was observed in 3 centres, 6 points in 4 centres, 5 points in 6 centres, 4 points in 7 centres, 3 points in 10 centres, 2 points in 11 centres and 1 point in 15 centres. On the contrary, Chhindwara and Kanpur recorded a maximum decrease of 3 points each followed by Ahmedabad and Jaipur (2 points each). Other 4 centres observed a fall in index by 1 point. Rest of 10 centres’ indices remained stationary. The indices of 31 centres are above All-India Index and 46 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Warangal centre remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW the month of December, 2019 will be released on Friday 31st January. 2020. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

Read More ->>

Revision of Interest rates for Small Savings Scheme - 4th Quarter of 2019-20

Revision of Interest rates for Small Savings Scheme - 4th Quarter of 2019-20

Read More ->>

SBI customers alert – Do you withdraw over Rs 10,000 from ATM? Important message for you from State Bank India (SBI)

SBI customers alert – Do you withdraw over Rs 10,000 from ATM? Important message for you from State Bank India (SBI)

SBI: Do you have an account in India’s largest State Bank India (SBI)? Do you withdraw over Rs 10,000 from ATM? Here is an important message for you from your bank – SBI.

What is the message? Key details?

– State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the launch of OTP-based ATM withdrawals above Rs. 10,000.

– SBI is introducing the OTP based cash withdrawal system across all SBI ATMs w.e.f. January 1, 2020 which would be functional between 8 P.M. to 8 A.M.

– SBI has urged its customers to register or update their mobile numbers

What does it mean?

-Customers at SBI ATMs, along with Debit Card PIN will also have to put OTP generated on their mobile numbers registered with the bank while withdrawing cash above Rs. 10,000.

What’s the benefit to SBI customers?

– With this facility SBI has added another layer of safety and security in all its ATMs to minimize the number of unauthorized ATM transactions.

-This additional factor of authentication for ATM cash withdrawals will protect SBI debit card holders from the risk of skimming, card cloning, etc.

OTP

The One-time password (OTP) is a system-generated numeric string of characters that authenticates the user for a single transaction.

What withdrawals from about non-SBI ATMs?

Noteworthy, this facility will not be applicable for cash withdrawals at non-SBI ATMs because this functionality has not been developed in National Financial Switch (NFS).

State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers and employees. It is also the largest mortgage lender in the country. As on September 30, 2019, the bank has a deposit base of over Rs. 30 lakh crore with CASA ratio of little more than 45% and advances of nearly Rs. 22.5 lakh crore. SBI commands 25% market share each in home loans and auto loans.

Source: zeebiz

Read More ->>

PAN WITH AADHAR LINKING DATE EXTENDED || 8th Time

Due date for linking of PAN with Aadhaar as specified under sub-section 2 of Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act,1961 has been extended from 31st December, 2019 to 31st March, 2020.

Note: This date has been extended to eight time

Read More ->>

Promotion and posting of STS officer of IPoS Gr. 'A' to JAG -III

Promotion and posting of STS officer of IPoS Gr. 'A' to JAG -III

Read More ->>

Letter from Postal Services Board || Reg Maintenance of Minimum Balance in POSA Account as per Gazette Notification 12.12.2019.

Read More ->>

IPPB Customers : Get Ready For "VIRTUAL DEBIT CARD"

INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK Has Also Step Up For Virtual Cashless Banking

As A Part of Cashless Banking & Digital India Initiative IPPB Is Going To Launch Virtual Debit Card Facilities In Upcoming Days For Their Customers.

Read More ->>

Why we should make the 8th January, 2020 General Strike a massive one?

Read More ->>

India Post exchanging Mail in Himachal Pradesh || More than 12500 feet from sea level

India Post exchanging Mail in Himachal Pradesh || More than 12500 feet from sea level

India Post exchanging Mail in Himachal Pradesh || More than 12500 feet from sea level

Read More ->>

BSNL VRS – 2019 : Clarification on withdrawal of VRS option

BSNL VRS – 2019 : Clarification on withdrawal of VRS option

BSNL Corporate Office has issued letter that all VRS options, as existed in the ERP portal at the closing time and date of VRS option shall be treated as final. It means, any withdrawal of VRS option after 03.12.2019 will not be accepted by the Management.

BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED
(A Govt. of India Enterprise)

BSNL Corporate Office
Establishment Branch
PAT Section, 5th floor
Bharat Sanchar Bhawan
H.C. Mathur Lane, New Delhi-110001

No. 1-15/2019-PAT (BSNL) Part-1

Dated: 24.12.2019

To

All Heads of the Telecom Circles,
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

Sub: VRS-2019 – Clarifications relating to submission of option/ withdrawal form-regarding.

Few Circles have sought clarification as to what action should be taken with regard to the status of those VRS optees who have not yet submitted their Physical copies of options/withdrawal forms till date and also those employees who have submitted written representations for change of option exercised by them in the ERP Portal.

In this regard, with the approval of the Competent Authority, it is hereby clarified that VRS option as existing in the ERP Portal on the closing date and time of VRS option shall be treated as final and no subsequent written request for change of status shall be entertained. VRS option as existing in the ERP Portal should be submitted to the competent authority for acceptance and after acceptance, they shall be relieved from BSNL service on 31.01.2020 A/N. The Circles are hereby directed to take further necessary action accordingly.

The Circle authorities may further direct the concerned employee to submit the physical option/withdrawal form immediately failing which their terminal benefits shall be delayed. Any delay in settlement of their terminal benefits on this account shall be the sole responsibility of the employee concerned.

This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(G.P. Vishnoi)
Asstt. General Manager (Estt-III)

Read More ->>

Postal Life Insurance Booklet || Department of Posts, India

Postal Life Insurance Booklet || Department of Posts, India

Insuring lives, Ensuring Future The best option for your Investment with Insurance facility and surety with Department of Post

Read More ->>

Cabinet approves Atal Bhujal Yojana

Cabinet approves Atal Bhujal Yojana

24 DEC 2019

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the implementation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), a Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25).

The scheme aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States. ATAL JAL will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management

Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government. The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire World Bank’s loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants.

ATAL JAL has two major components:

A. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component for strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable ground water management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User Associations, etc.

B. Incentive Component for incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices namely, data dissemination, preparation of water security plans, implementation of management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, adopting demand side management practices etc.

ATAL JAL will result in:

• Institutional strengthening for improving ground water monitoring networks and capacity building of stakeholders at different levels which will enhance ground water data storage, exchange, analysis and dissemination.
• Improved and realistic water budgeting based on an improved database and preparation of community-led Water Security Plans at Panchayat level
• Implementation of Water Security Plans through convergence of various ongoing/ new schemes of the Government of India and State Governments to facilitate judicious and effective utilization of funds for sustainable ground water management.
• Efficient use of available ground water resources with emphasis on demand side measures such as micro-irrigation, crop diversification, electricity feeder separation etc.

Impact:

• Source sustainability for Jal Jeevan Mission in the project area with active participation of local communities.
• Will contribute towards the goal of doubling the farmers’ income.
• Will promote participatory ground water management.
• Improved water use efficiency on a mass scale and improved cropping pattern;
• Promotion of efficient and equitable use of ground water resources and behavioral change at the community level;

Background:

Ground water contributes to nearly 65% of total irrigated area of the country and nearly 85% of the rural drinking water supply. The limited ground water resources in the country are under threat due to the increasing demands of growing population, urbanization and industrialization. Intensive, and unregulated ground water pumping in many areas has caused rapid and widespread decline in ground water levels as well as reduction in the sustainability of ground water abstraction structures. The problem of reduction in ground water availability is further compounded by deteriorating ground water quality in some parts of the country. The increasing stress on ground water due to over- exploitation, contamination and associated environmental impacts threaten to endanger the food security of the nation, unless necessary preventive / remedial measures are taken on priority.

The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken a pioneering initiative for ensuring long term sustainability of ground water resources in the country through the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) by adopting a mix of ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approaches in identified ground water stressed blocks in seven states, representing a range of geomorphic, climatic and hydrogeologic and cultural settings. ATAL JAL has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory ground water management and bringing about behavioral changes at the community level for sustainable ground water resource management. The scheme envisages undertaking this through various interventions, including awareness programmes, capacity building, convergence of ongoing/ new schemes and improved agricultural practices etc.

PIB

Read More ->>

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – Maximum Monthly Pension May Raised To Rs 10,000 

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – Maximum monthly pension may raised to Rs 10,000 and the maximum age limit for enrolling in the scheme may be raised to 50 years

The Finance Ministry is considering a proposal to relax the maximum monthly pension paid under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to Rs 10,000 and raise the maximum age limit for enrolling in the scheme to 50 years. Presently, the scheme benefiting un-organised sector workers allows enrolments for those aged between 18 and 40. The scheme also provides minimum guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 from the age of 60. “We have recommenced the finance ministry to increase the age limit and double the maximum guaranteed monthly pension payout. We have also shared the subscription rates and submitted the actuarial valuation report with the government,” said Supratim Bandopadhyay, member (Finance), PFRDA. “We have shared our submissions, but how much financial commitment the government would be able to make is its call.

The PFRDA proposed merging the pension schemes available separately for farmers and shopkeepers with APY to avoid confusion. The APY, a flagship pension scheme of the government to cover the workers in the unorganised sector, has now crossed the 19 million subscription mark, data until Nov end showed. PFRDA aims to increase the subscriber base to 22.5 million by March 2020. The pension regulator had indicated in the past that enrolment of the first 10 million subscribers had taken three years, while it took only 18 months thereafter to double the subscriber base. ET had recently reported that the finance ministry is considering a proposal to allow PFRDA to become the single regulatory authority for all pension products. An announcement to that effect is expected in the upcoming budget. The government is considering doubling the tax benefits currently available under the national pension scheme (NPS) to Rs 1 lakh under Section 80CCD (1b) and making the annuity income tax-free. Currently, the annuity received is taxable in the year of receipt.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes

Read More ->>

All India Strike 08th January 2020

Read More ->>

Permitted Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to enroll in National Pension System at par with Non-Resident Indians (NRI)

Permitted Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to enroll in National Pension System at par with Non-Resident Indians (NRI)

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

B-14/A, Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan,
Qutub Institutional Area,
Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110016
Ph : 011-26517501, 26517503, 26133730
Fax : 011-26517507
Website : www.pfrda.org.in

No: PFRDA/2019/24/PDES/5

Date: 17th December 2019

Circular

Clarification – Enrollment of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) in NPS.

1. This is in continuation to the Circular No: PFRDA/2019/19/PDES/3 dated 29th Oct, 2019 on the above subject whereby the Authority permitted Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to enroll in National Pension System at par with Non-Resident Indians (NRI).

2. Based on the communication received from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), it is hereby clarified that Annuity payable by ASPs to NRIs and OCIs will be taxed at source, at rates applicable as per the DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements) of the country where the annuitant resides.

3. Hence the intermediaries including Annuity Service Providers (ASPs) are required to display/convey to the prospective and existing subscribers that ‘Annuities payable to NRI/OCI are subject to TDS’ and ‘repatriation of the corpus, if any, will be subject to applicable laws and regulatory provisions of IRDAI/PFRDA/RBI’ in their relevant marketing materials / website(s) / brochures / communications.

Mono MG Phukon
(General Manager)

Read More ->>

Calling for Option/Preferences of Postal Circle from candidates recommended by Staff Selection Commission for appointment as Inspector Posts in Department of Posts through Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2017

Calling for Option/Preferences of Postal Circle from candidates recommended by Staff Selection Commission for appointment as Inspector Posts in Department of Posts through Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2017

Read More ->>

Memorandum / Instruction regarding eligibility of Senior IP to appear in the LDCE 2018 & 2019 for promotion to PS Gr 'B' cadre - Regarding

Memorandum / Instruction regarding eligibility of Senior IP to appear in the LDCE 2018 & 2019 for promotion to PS Gr 'B' cadre - Regarding

Read More ->>

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna || Banners in English & Hindi

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna || Banners in English & Hindi

Read More ->>

Seeking preference of Circle from candidates recommended by SSC on the basis of CHSLE-2017 for appointment as PA/SA

Seeking preference of Circle from candidates recommended by SSC on the basis of CHSLE-2017 for appointment as PA/SA

Read More ->>

Pensioners Federation :: WA No,353/2015, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Bench at Indore ...

Pensioners Federation :: WA No,353/2015, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Bench at Indore ...

Read More ->>

CIC/CGHSR/C/2018/132005/CGHSD-BJ -- Mr.Swapan Kumar Ray vs. CPJO (HQ)

Read More ->>

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - 2020

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - 2020

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - 2020

Read More ->>

The hard working employees of India Post are determined to perform their duty with sincerity - Ravi Shankar Prasad

The hard working employees of India Post are determined to perform their duty with sincerity - Ravi Shankar Prasad

The hard working employees of India Post are determined to perform their duty with sincerity and commitment even in extreme cold weather. India Post Payments Bank are opening accounts and carrying transactions through it. ( FB post dtd 24.12.2019)

Read More ->>

Revised DBT Policy for Department of Posts & IPPB

Revised DBT Policy for Department of Posts & IPPB

Read More ->>

Extension of CGHS Facilities to the Pensioners of Post and Telegraph Department

Refer to this Directorate letter of even no.dated 22nd July 2019 (copy enclosed) wherein a copy of OM dated 19th July 2017 of the Ministry of health and Family Welfare regarding extension of CGHS facilities to pensioners of Post and Telegraph was forwarded to your offices for further necessary action

It is requested that the O.M. No. S.11016/2/2015-CGHS(P)/EHS datcd 19″‘July, 2017 and along with O.M. No.S.14025/23/2013-MS.EHSS dated 29.09.2016 of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare may be circulated widely to inform all pensioners about the CCHS facilities available to them regarding guidelines for reimbursement of medical claims to pensioners to litigation from pensioners.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide its OM No.S.14025/23|2013-MS.EHSS dated 29n September, 2016 has clarified that CS(MA) Rules 1944 are not applicable to pensioners till date. The Ministry has issued the following guidelines for medical facilities to Central Government pensioners:-

a) Pensioners residing in CGHS covered area

1) They can get themselves registered in CGHS dispensary after making requisite contribution and can avail both OPD and IPD facilities.

2) Pensioners residing in CGHS areas cannot opt out of CGHS and avail any other medical facility (i.e. Fixed Medical Allowance). Such pensioners, if they do not choose to avail CGHS facility by depositing the required contributions, cannot be granted fixed medical allowance in lieu of CGHS.

b) Pensioners residing ln non- CGHS covered areas:

1) They can avail Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA @Rs.500/- per month revised to Rs. 1000/- from 01.07.2017.

2)They can also avail benefits of CGHS (OPD and IPD) by registering themselves in the nearest CCHS city after making the required subscription’

3) They also have the option to avail FMA for OPD treatments and CGHS for IPD treatments after making the required subscriptions as per CGHS guidelines’

All retired / retiring officers /Staff of the Department of Posts may please be advised to adhere to the above provisions and subscribe to CGHS facility by depositing the required contributions for availing medical facilities after retirement

This issues with the approval of the competent authority

Read More ->>

Private hospitals empanelled under the CGHS and ECHS have decided to suspend cashless services to the beneficiaries if their outstanding dues not paid by the Centre

Private hospitals empanelled under the CGHS and ECHS have decided to suspend cashless services to the beneficiaries if their outstanding dues not paid by the Centre

Private hospitals may be forced to suspend cashless services under CGHS and ECHS as their reimbursements under these government schemes, running into crores, are pending for several months, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said on Thursday.

The healthcare industry is passing through a crisis and crores of rupees to be paid to private hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is pending for the past several months, the IMA claimed at a media briefing.

“Non-payment of legitimate dues by the government is taking a toll on the day-to-day functioning of the hospitals and is unable to pay salaries to the employees. Many hospitals have begun to cut down on operations by closing certain wards and beds, and are forced to lay off employees.

“If the situation is allowed to persist, it is feared that lakhs of hospital employees may lose jobs. Despite repeated attempts made by hospitals and associations, the situation has improved,” IMA Secretary General Dr R V Asokan said.

The IMA claimed that financial crunch coupled with reduced number of staff are going to adversely affect patient safety, which in turn would lead to increased morbidity and mortality, without getting noticed.

While non-payment of dues has pushed hospitals to the brink of collapse, rates for various medical procedures under CGHS have not been revised since 2014, whereas hospital expenses continue to grow, Asokan said.

Rates and agreements between CGHS and hospitals were supposed to be revised every two years. However, the CGHS have been postponing it unilaterally without furnishing any reason, he said

Studies carried out by various institutes show that rates of many procedures under CGHS do not cover even the operating cost incurred by hospitals, the IMA secretary general said.

India currently has less than half the number of beds compared to WHO norms. Accessibility is even worse as most tertiary care hospitals are confined within metro, tier one and tier two cities.

“The prime minister while launching the Ayushman Bharat scheme had rightly stressed on the need for opening of 2,500-3,000 new hospitals in tier one and tier two cities to cater to the demand of PMJAY.

“The current scenario however is not going to encourage any new investment and will adversely affect effectiveness of flagship scheme PMJAY/ Ayushman Bharat,” the IMA said in a statement.

“Considering that 70 per cent of OPD and 60 per cent of IPD patients are being taken care of by private healthcare providers, the likely disruption of health services due to financial crunch is going to impact the national healthcare scenario more so in tertiary care where private sector provides more than 85 per cent of such services,” Dr Alexander Thomas, the president of Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) said.

It is therefore time that government takes urgent stock of ground realities and engages with the private sector to assess their genuine concerns and save the health industry from a collapse or slowdown, he said.

“Besides having social obligations, the healthcare industry has the potential to be the largest employer and it is therefore of utmost importance that the government and private sector engage in a dialogue and to pave the way for universal health coverage through Ayushman Bharat,” Thomas said.

Source: business-standard

Read More ->>

Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme 2019 – Gazette Notification

Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme 2019 – Gazette Notification

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 12th December, 2019

G.S.R. 914(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3A of the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 (5 of 1873), the Central Government hereby makes the following Scheme, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement.–

(1) This Scheme may be called the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019.

(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.-

(1) In this Scheme, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “account” means an account opened under this Scheme;

(b) “account holder” means a girl child in whose name the account is held;

(c) “Act” means the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 (5 of 1873);

(d) “birth certificate” means birth certificate issued by the municipal authority or any office authorised to issue birth and death certificate by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Indian Consulate as defined in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955);

(e) “family” means a unit consisting of a person and his spouse (both or either of whom are alive or deceased) and their children, adopted or otherwise;

(f) “financial year” means the period commencing on the 1st day of April and ending on the 31st day of March of the following year;

(g) “Form” means forms appended to this Scheme;

(h) “General Rules” means the Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018;

(i) “maturity” means maturity of an account on completion of a period of twenty-one years from the date of its opening.

(2) Words and the expressions used herein but not defined shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act and the General Rules.

3. Opening of account.-

(1) The account may be opened by one of the guardian in the name of a girl child, who has not attained the age of ten years as on the date of opening of the account.

(2) Every account holder shall have a single account under this Scheme.

(3) The application in Form-1 for opening an account shall be accompanied by birth certificate of the girl child in whose name the account is to be opened, along with required documents of guardian.

(4) An account under this Scheme may be opened for a maximum of two girl children in one family:

Provided that more than two accounts may be opened in a family if such children are born in the first or in the second order of birth or in both, on submission of an affidavit by the guardian supported with birth certificates of the twins/triplets regarding the birth of such multiple girl children in the first two orders of birth in a family:

Provided further that the above proviso shall not apply to girl child of the second order of birth, if the first order of birth in the family results in two or more surviving girl children.

4. Deposits.-

(1) The account may be opened with a minimum initial deposit of two hundred and fifty rupees and in multiples of fifty rupees thereafter and subsequent deposits shall be in multiples of fifty rupees subject to the condition that a minimum of two hundred and fifty rupees shall be made as deposit in a financial year in one account.

(2) The total amount deposited in an account shall not exceed one lakh fifty thousand rupees in a financial year:

Provided that the deposit in excess of one lakh fifty thousand rupees in any financial year, if accepted due to any accounting error, shall not be eligible for any interest and be returned immediately to the depositor.

(3) Deposits may be made in the account till the completion of a period of fifteen years from the date of opening of the account.

(4) An account in which minimum amount as specified in sub-paragraph (1) has not been deposited shall be considered as an account under default:

Provided that an account under default may be regularised any time till completion of a period of fifteen years from the date of opening of account on payment of a penalty of fifty rupees for each year of default along with the minimum annual deposit in respect of the defaulted years.

(5) In case of an account under default, if not regularised within the time specified under sub-paragraph (4), then the whole deposit, including the deposits made prior to the date of default, shall be eligible for interest at the rate applicable to the Scheme till closure of the account.

5. Interest on deposit.-

(1) Deposits in the account shall earn interest at the rate 8.4 per cent per annum.

(2) The interest shall be calculated for the calendar month on the lowest balance in the account between the close of the fifth day and the end of the month. The interest shall be credited to the account at the end of each financial year and any amount of interest in fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee and for this purpose any amount of fifty paisa or more shall be treated as one rupee and any amount less than fifty paisa shall be ignored.

(3) Interest shall be credited at the end of the financial year irrespective of the change of the account office due to transfer of the account during the financial year.

6. Operation of account.-

(1) The account shall be operated by the guardian till the account holder attains the age of eighteen years. The account shall be operated by the account holder herself after attaining age of eighteen years by submitting necessary documents.

7. Premature closure of account.-

(1) In the event of death of the account holder, the account shall be closed immediately on application in Form-2, on production of death certificate issued by the competent authority and the balance at the credit of the account and interest due thereon till the date of death shall be paid to the guardian.

(2) Interest for the period between the date of death of the account holder and date of closure of the account shall be paid at the rate applicable on Post Office Savings Account for the balance held in the account.

(3) Where the accounts office is satisfied that in case of extreme compassionate grounds such as medical support in life-threatening diseases of the account holder or death of the guardian that the operation or continuation of the account is causing undue hardship to the account holder, it may, after complete documentation establishing the grounds for such closure, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, allow premature closure of the account. Outstanding balance in the account with interest due as applicable to the Scheme shall be paid to the account holder or guardian, as the case may be:

Provided that no premature closure of an account under this sub-paragraph shall be made before completion of five years from the date of opening of the account.

8. Withdrawal.-

(1) On an application in Form-3, withdrawal of upto a maximum of fifty per cent. of the amount in the account at the end of the financial year preceding the year of application for withdrawal, shall be allowed for the purpose of education of the account holder:

Provided that such withdrawal shall be allowed after the account holder attains the age of eighteen years or has passed tenth standard, whichever is earlier.

(2) The application for withdrawal under sub-paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by documentary proof in the form of a confirmed offer of admission of the account holder in an educational institution or a fee-slip from such institution indicating such financial requirement.

(3) The withdrawal under sub-paragraph (1) may be made in one lump sum or in instalments, not exceeding one per year, for a maximum of five years, subject to the ceiling specified in sub-paragraph (1):

Provided that the amount of withdrawal shall be restricted to the actual requirement on account of fee and other charges required at the time of admission as shown in the offer of admission or the relevant fee-slip issued by the educational institution.

9. Closure on maturity.-

(1) The account shall mature on completion of a period of twenty-one years from the date of its opening.

(2) The closure of the account may also be permitted before completion of twenty-one years if the account holder on an application makes a request for such closure for the reason of intended marriage of the account holder on furnishing of a declaration duly signed on non-judicial stamp paper attested by the notary supported with proof of age confirming that the applicant will not be less than eighteen years of age on the date of marriage:

Provided that no such closure shall be allowed before one month from the date of the intended marriage or after three months from the date of marriage.

(3) On an application in Form-4 by the account holder, the balance outstanding along with interest as applicable under paragraph 5 shall be payable to the account holder.

10. Application of General Rules.-

Provisions of the General Rules shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to the matters for which no provisions have been made in this Scheme.

11. Power to relax.-

Where the Central Government is satisfied that the operation of any of the provisions of this Scheme causes undue hardship to the account holder, it may, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the requirement of that provision or provisions in respect of such account holder, in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.

[F. No. 2/2/2018-NS (Pt. I)]

RAJAT KUMAR MISHRA, Jt. Secy.

Read More ->>