Withdrawal of Minimum Balance Penalty by Banks

Ministry of Finance

Withdrawal of Minimum Balance Penalty by Banks

16 JUL 2019

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, banks do not have any Minimum Balance requirement for Basic Savings Bank Deposit accounts (BSBD), including accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana (PMJDY). As on March 2019, there were 57.3 crore BSBD accounts across the country including 35.27 crore (61.6%) Jan-Dhan accounts. Hence, for these accounts there are no charges for not maintaining minimum balance. BSBD accounts are considered normal banking services available to all and it offers certain basic minimum facilities free of charge.

For accounts other than BSBD accounts, as per RBI’s Master Circular on “Customer Service in Banks” dated July 1, 2015, banks are permitted to fix service charges on various services rendered by them, as per their Board approved policy, while ensuring that the charges are reasonable and not out of line with the average cost of providing these services. Further, banks have been advised to identify basic services and the principles to be adopted/ followed by them for ensuring reasonableness in fixing such charges. Banks are also advised to take steps to ensure that customers are made aware of the service charges upfront and changes in the service charges are implemented only with the prior notice to the customers.

This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

RBI: All Agency Banks must remain available to the public on 31 March 2019 (Sunday)

RBI: All Agency Banks must remain available to the public on 31 March 2019 (Sunday)

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

RBI/2018-19/150
DBR.No.Leg.BC.30/09.07.005/2018-19

March 26, 2019

All Agency Banks
Dear Sir/ Madam
All Agency Banks to remain open for public on March 31, 2019 (Sunday)

The Government of India has advised that all Pay and Account Offices will remain open on March 31, 2019 (Sunday) to facilitate government receipt and payment transactions. Accordingly, all Agency Banks are advised to keep all their branches dealing with government business open on March 31, 2019 (Sunday).

Banks shall give due publicity about availability of above banking services on this day.

Yours faithfully
(Saurav Sinha)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series III) - Issue Price

Ministry of Finance

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series III) - Issue Price

02 NOV 2018

Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 (Series III) will be opened for the period November 05-09, 2018. The issue price of the Bond during this subscription period i.e. November 05-09, 2018, shall be Rs.3,183 (Rupees Three Thousand One Hundred Eighty Three only) - per gram with Settlement on November 13, 2018, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated October 12, 2018.

Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to allow discount of Rs.50 (Rupees Fifty) per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be Rs.3,133 (Rupees Three Thousand One Hundred Thirty Three only) per gram of gold.

PIB

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series II) - Issue Price

Ministry of Finance

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series II) - Issue Price

12 OCT 2018

Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 (Series II) will be opened for the period October 15-19, 2018. The issue price of the Bond during this subscription period i.e. October 15-19, 2018, shall be Rs. 3,146 (Rupees Three Thousand One Hundred Forty Six only) - per gram with Settlement on October 23, 2018, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated October 12, 2018.

Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to allow discount of Rs.50 (Rupees Fifty) per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be Rs. 3,096 (Rupees Three Thousand Ninety  Six only) per gram of gold.

PIB

RBI Circular: Banks to remain open till 8 pm on 31.3.2018

RBI Circular: Banks to remain open till 8 pm on 31.3.2018

"All agency banks should keep the counters of their designated branches conducting government banking open for government transactions up to 8.00 p.m. on March 31, 2018"

Annual Closing of Government Accounts - Transactions of Central / State Governments - Special Measures for the Current Financial Year (2017-18)

RBI/2017-18/144
DGBA.GBD.No.2388/42.01.029/2017-18

March 27, 2018

All agency banks

Dear Sir / Madam
Annual Closing of Government Accounts - Transactions of Central / State Governments - Special Measures for the Current Financial Year (2017-18)

The Government of India has desired that all government transactions with banks for Financial Year 2017-18 must be accounted for within the same financial year and has requested that, as in previous years, certain special arrangements be made for this purpose. Accordingly, all agency banks should keep the counters of their designated branches conducting government banking open for government transactions up to 8.00 p.m. on March 31, 2018. All electronic transactions, including RTGS and NEFT, will continue till midnight on March 31, 2018. Banks may give adequate publicity to the special arrangements made.

Yours faithfully

(Partha Choudhuri)
General Manager

Source: www.rbi.org.in

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18 Issue Price

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18 Issue Price

Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, had floated Series III of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18, for a period from October 09, 2017 to December 27, 2017 (with subscription period Monday to Wednesday every week). The Bonds will be issued on the succeeding Monday after each subscription period.

For the next subscription period i.e. December 18-20, 2017, the issue price shall be Rs.2,866 (Rupees Two Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Six only) - per gram with Settlement on December 26, 2017, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated December 15, 2017.

Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to allow discount of Rs.50 (Rupees Fifty) per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode.

PIB

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18 Issue Price for the next subscription period i.e. October 23-25, 2017 would be Rs. 2,971 per gram with Settlement on October 30, 2017

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18 Issue Price for the next subscription period i.e. October 23-25, 2017 would be Rs. 2,971 per gram with Settlement on October 30, 2017

The Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), had floated Series III of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18, for the period from October 09, 2017 to December 27, 2017 (with subscription period Monday to Wednesday every week). The Bonds will be issued on the succeeding Monday after each subscription period.

For the next subscription period i.e. October 23-25, 2017, the issue price shall be Rs. 2,971/ (Rupees Two thousand Nine hundred Seventy One only) - per gram with Settlement on October 30, 2017, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated Oct.20, 2017.

The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to allow discount of Rs.50 (Rupees Fifty) per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode.

PIB

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to announce bi-monthly monetary policy review

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to announce bi-monthly monetary policy review

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to announce bi-monthly monetary policy review on Wednesday.
A lot of predictions have been done by the analysts and experts on whether the central bank should maintain a status quo or cut the interest rates.

In the last monthly policy, held on December 7, the central bank had kept key rates unchanged amid the then on-going demonetisation exercise, which had led the whole country in cash crisis. That time, the analysts were expecting a rate cut, but the RBI Governor Urjit Patel gave 'surprise' buy not reducing the rates.
A Reuters poll last week, conducted before the government presented its annual budget, showed 28 of 46 participants expected the RBI on Wednesday to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.0%, its lowest since November 2010. Another two expected a 50 bps cut.

Here are the factors which will decide RBI's decision

Inflation

Consumer Price Inflation fell to a two-year low of 3.41% in December, which is below the RBI's end-March 2017 target of 5% and medium-term target of 4%.

The fall in inflation has given enough room for the RBI to cut the rates. Commenting on the expectation from the central bank, Rishi Mehra, Co-Founder and Director of Wishfin (earlier known as Deal4loans) said, "We are expecting a 25 basis points reduction in the key policy rate - the repo rate - to 6 % on February 8 when the Governor Urjit Patel will unveil his third policy review. Since the last RBI policy, the CPI inflation has been to the downside both in the month of November and December, giving possibilities of meeting the 5% March 2017 CPI target. Having said that, the RBI had made it quite clear that it will work towards the achievement of the consumer price index inflation."

Having similar view, HSBC in its report said, "We hold on to our expectation of a 25 basis points rate cut in February, but caution that this would likely bring the easing cycle to an end, given the pressures in the horizon implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) bill, rising oil prices, implementation of government employees housing allowance, and the challenging 4% CPI target for the medium term."

Moreover, Nomura in its report said, "On the monetary policy front, with the government sticking to fiscal consolidation and headline CPI likely to undershoot the RBI's March 2017 target of 5%, we are pencilling in a final 25 bps repo rate cut to 6% on February 8."

Raghu Kumar, Director, Upstox, said, "In our view, RBI is expected to cut repo rate by 0.25 per cent at its policy review on Wednesday. This rate cut would be supported by the modest CPI inflation, which is expected to undershoot the March 2017 target set by RBI and the continued fiscal consolidation attempted in the Union Budget for FY2018."

Demonetisation

In the last policy meet, some experts were expecting RBI to look at the rate cut amid the demonetisation exercise to get a clear picture of the whole exercise.

Today, Bank of America Merill Lynch said to reverse the impact of the demonetisation drive to growth prospects, the Reserve Bank will cut rates tomorrow as well as in the April policy review.

"We continue to expect the RBI-MPC (monetary policy committee) to cut the rates by 0.25%t and in April with demonetisation hurting growth," it said.

However, having the opposite view, Kavita Chacko, Senior Economist, said, "We do not expect a rate cut in this policy as the banks have already lowered interest rates following the inflow of deposits into the banking system following demonetisation."

Fiscal Deficit

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during his Union Budget 2017 speech stated that the fiscal deficit aim for the next fiscal would be 3.2% instead of 3.%. Analysts believe that disinvestment targets is key if the government has to achieve this fiscal deficit target.

"The better than feared deficit target and commitment to fiscal consolidation will keep hopes of a RBI rate cut alive," the Citigroup report said adding "the Budget reinforces our view of another 25 bps cut in repo rate".

In the very beginning of the year, the banks had slashed its marginal cost of funds based lending rate in the range of 90 basis points - 75 basis points across all maturities.

The banks' decision came in after they were flooded with liquidity post demonetisation. According to a Bloomberg report, this behaviour of banks has made it clear that they respond to liquidity triggers far more quickly than policy rate triggers.

So, for tomorrow like the analysts say it will be a "close call" for RBI on whether to hold the rates or reduce them.

RBI Circular: No Limit for Cash Withdrawal from ATMs from February 1

RBI Circular: No Limit for Cash Withdrawal from ATMs from February 1

Limits on Cash withdrawals from Bank accounts and ATMs - Restoration of status quo ante

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
www.rbi.org.in

RBI/2016-17/217
DCM (Plg) No. 2905/10.27.00/2016-17

January 30, 2017

The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer,
Public Sector Banks / Private Sector Banks / Foreign Banks,
Regional Rural Banks / Urban Co-operative Banks,
State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative Banks

Dear Sir/Madam,
Limits on Cash withdrawals from Bank accounts and ATMs - Restoration of status quo ante

Please refer to our circular DCM (Plg) No.1226/10.27.00/2016-17 dated November 08, 2016 placing limits on Cash withdrawals from bank accounts and ATMs in the wake of withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of Specified Bank Notes (SBN) and subsequent circulars DCM (Plg) Nos.1256, 1274, 1317, 1437, 2142 and 2559 dated November 11, 14, 21, 28, December 30, 2016 and January 16, 2017 respectively, providing for relief and relaxations therefrom.

2. On a review of the pace of remonitisation, it has been decided to partially restore status quo ante as under:

Limits placed vide the circulars cited above on cash withdrawals from Current accounts/ Cash credit accounts/ Overdraft accounts stand withdrawn with immediate effect.

The limits on Savings Bank accounts will continue for the present and are under consideration for withdrawal in the near future.

Limits vide the circulars cited above placed on cash withdrawals from ATMs stand withdrawn from February 01, 2017. However, banks may, at their discretion, have their own operating limits as was the case before November 8, 2016, subject to 2 (ii) above.

3. Further, banks are urged to encourage their constituents to sustain the movement towards digitisation of payments and switching over of payments from cash mode to non-cash mode.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)
Chief General Manager

Authority: www.rbi.org.in

Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) - Cash withdrawal for purpose of celebration of wedding

Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) - Cash withdrawal for purpose of celebration of wedding

RBI/2016-17/145
DCM (Plg) No.1320/10.27.00/2016-17

November 21, 2016

The Chairman / Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,
Public Sector Banks / Private Sector Banks/ Private Sector Banks/ Foreign Banks
Regional Rural Banks / Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks

Dear Sir,
Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing Rs. 500/- and Rs. 1000/- Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) - Cash withdrawal for purpose of celebration of wedding

Please refer to our Circular No. DCM (Plg) No.1226/10.27.00/2016-17 dated November 08, 2016 on the captioned subject.

2. With a view to enable members of the public to perform and celebrate weddings of their wards it has been decided to allow higher limits of cash withdrawals from their bank deposit accounts to meet wedding related expenses. Yet, banks should encourage families to incur wedding expenses through non-cash means viz. cheques /drafts, credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, mobile transfers, internet banking channels, NEFT/RTGS, etc. Therefore, members of the public should be advised, while granting cash withdrawals, to use cash to meet expenses which have to be met only through cash mode. Cash withdrawals shall be subject to the following conditions:

i. A maximum of Rs.250000/- is allowed to be withdrawn from the bank deposit accounts till December 30, 2016 out of the balances at credit in the account as at close of business on November 08, 2016.

ii. Withdrawals are permitted only from accounts which are fully KYC compliant.

iii. The amounts can be withdrawn only if the date of marriage is on or before December 30, 2016.

iv. Withdrawals can be made by either of the parents or the person getting married. (Only one of them will be permitted to withdraw).

v. Since the amount proposed to be withdrawn is meant to be used for cash disbursements, it has to be established that the persons for whom the payment is proposed to be made do not have a bank account.

vi. The application for withdrawal shall be accompanied by following documents:

• An application as per Annex
• Evidence of the wedding, including the invitation card, copies of receipts for advance payments already made, such as Marriage hall booking, advance payments to caterers, etc.
• A detailed list of persons to whom the cash withdrawn is proposed to be paid, together with a declaration from such persons that they do not have a bank account. The list should indicate the purpose for which the proposed payments are being made

3. Banks shall keep a proper record of the evidence and produce them for verification by the authorities in case of need. The scheme will be reviewed based on authenticity/ bona fide use thereof.

Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)
Chief General Manager

Encl: As above

Authority: www.rbi.org.in
Click to view and download the Application Form

Cancellation of the legal tender character of the High Denomination bank notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 denominations issued by RBI

Cancellation of the legal tender character of the High Denomination bank notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 denominations issued by RBI

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs

Press Release

With a view to curbing financing of terrorism through the proceeds of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and use of such funds for subversive activities such as espionage, smuggling of arms, drugs and other contrabands into India, and for eliminating Black Money which casts a long shadow of parallel economy on our real economy, it has been decided to cancel the legal tender character of the High Denomination bank notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 denominations issued by RBI till now. This will take effect from the expiry of the 8th November, 2016.

2. Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in circulation in these denominations are comparatively larger as compared to those in other denominations. For a common person, the fake notes look similar to genuine notes. Use of FICN facilitates financing of terrorism and drug trafficking. Use of high denomination notes for storage of unaccounted wealth has been evident from cash recoveries made by law enforcement agencies from time to time. High denomination notes are known to facilitate generation of black money. In this connection, it may be noted that while the total number of bank notes in circulation rose by 40% between 2011 and 2016, the increase in number of notes of Rs.500/- denomination was 76% and for Rs.1,000/- denomination was 109% during this period. New Series bank notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.2,000/- denominations will be introduced for circulation from 10th November, 2016. Infusion of Rs.2,000/- bank notes will be monitored and regulated by RBI. Introduction of new series of banknotes which will be distinctly different from the current ones in terms of look, design, size and colour has been planned.

3. The World Bank in July, 2010 estimated the size of the shadow economy for India at 20.7% of the GDP in 1999 and rising to 23.2% in 2007. There are similar estimates made by other Indian and international agencies. A parallel shadow economy corrodes and eats into the vitals of the country’s economy. It generates inflation which adversely affects the poor and the middle classes more than others. It deprives Government of its legitimate revenues which could have been otherwise used for welfare and development activities.

4. In the last two years, the Government has taken a number of steps to curb the menace of black money in the economy including setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT); enacting a law regarding undisclosed foreign income and assets; amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Mauritius and India and Cyprus; reaching an understanding with Switzerland for getting information on Bank accounts held by Indians with HSBC; encouraging the use of non-cash and digital payments; amending the Benami Transactions Act; and implementing the Income Declaration Scheme 2016.

5. In order to implement the above decisions of the Government and keeping in view the need to minimise inconvenience to the public, the following operational guidelines have been issued:-

(i) Old High Denomination Bank Notes may be deposited by individuals/persons into their bank accounts and/or exchanged in bank branches or Issue Offices of RBI till the close of business hours on 30th December, 2016.

(ii) Old High Denomination Bank Notes of aggregate value of Rs.4,000/- only or below held by a person can be exchanged by him/her at any bank branch or Issue Office of Reserve Bank of India for any denomination of bank notes having legal tender character, provided a Requisition Slip as per format to be specified by RBI is presented with proof of identity and along with the Old High Denomination Bank Notes. Similar facilities will also be made available in Post Offices.

(iii) The limit of Rs.4,000/- for exchanging Old High Denomination Bank Notes at bank branches or at issue offices of Reserve Bank of India will be reviewed after 15 days and appropriate notification issued, as may be necessary.

(iv) There will not be any limit on the quantity or value of Old High Denomination Bank Notes to be credited to the account of the tenderer maintained with the bank, where the Old High Denomination Bank Notes are tendered. However, in accounts where compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms is not complete, a maximum value of Rs.50,000/- of Old High Denomination Bank Notes can be deposited.

(v) The equivalent value of the Old High Denomination Bank Notes tendered can be credited to an account maintained by the tenderer at any bank in accordance with standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity.

(vi) The equivalent value of the Old High Denomination Bank Notes tendered can be credited to a third party account, provided specific authorisation therefor accorded by the said account holder is presented to the bank, following standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity of the person actually tendering.

(vii) Cash withdrawal from a bank account, over the counter will be restricted to Rs.10,000/- subject to an overall limit of Rs. 20,000/- in a week for the first fortnight, i.e., until the end of business hours on November 24, 2016.

(viii) There will be no restriction on the use of any non-cash method of operating the account which will include cheques, demand drafts, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets and electronic fund transfer mechanisms.

(ix) Withdrawal from ATMs would be restricted to Rs.2,000 per day per card up to November 18, 2016. The limit will be raised to Rs.4,000 per day per card from November 19, 2016 onwards.

(x) For those who are unable to exchange their Old High Denomination Bank Notes or deposit the same in their bank accounts on or before December 30, 2016, an opportunity will be given to them to do so at specified offices of the RBI on later dates along with necessary documentation as may be specified by the Reserve Bank of India.

(xi) Instruction is also being issued for closure of banks and Government Treasuries, on 9th November, 2016.

(xii) In addition, all ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Cash Recyclers and any other machine used for receipt and payment of cash will remain shut on 9th and 10th November, 2016.

(xiii) The bank branches and Government Treasuries will function from 10th November, 2016.

(xiv) To avoid inconvenience to the public for the first 72 Hours, Old High Denomination Bank Notes will continue to be accepted at Government Hospitals and pharmacies in these hospitals/Railway ticketing counters/ticket counters of Government/Public Sector Undertaking buses and airline ticketing counters at airports; for purchases at consumer co-operative societies, at milk booths, at crematoria/burial grounds, at petrol/diesel/gas stations of Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies and for arriving and departing passengers at international airports and for foreign tourists to exchange foreign currency at airports up to a specified amount.

6. The relevant Notifications are available in the website of Finance Ministry (http://finmin.nic.in/). Further details including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the website of the Reserve Bank of India (https://www.rbi.org.in/).

Authority: http://finmin.nic.in/

Government decides to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme 2016 -17–Series III; Applications for the bond to be accepted from October 24, 2016 to November 02, 2016 and the Bonds will be issued on November 17, 2016

Government decides to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme 2016 -17 Series III; Applications for the bond to be accepted from October 24, 2016 to November 02, 2016 and the Bonds will be issued on November 17, 2016.

Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016-17  Series III. Applications for the bonds will be accepted from October 24, 2016 to November 02, 2016. The Bonds will be issued on November 17, 2016. The Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange.
The features of the Bond are given below:

Sl. No.	Item	Details
1.	Product name	Sovereign Gold Bond 2016-17 - Series III
2.	Issuance	To be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India.
3.	Eligibility	The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.
4.	Denomination	The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram.
5.	Tenor	The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year to be exercised on the interest payment dates.
6.	Minimum size	Minimum permissible investment will be 1 grams of gold.
7.	Maximum limit	The maximum amount subscribed by an entity will not be more than 500 grams per person per fiscal year (April-March). A self-declaration to this effect will be obtained.
8.	Joint holder	In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 500 grams will be applied to the first applicant only.
9.	Issue price	Price of Bond will be fixed in Indian Rupees on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited for the week (Monday to Friday) preceding the subscription period. The issue price of the Gold Bonds will be 50 per gram less than the nominal value.
10.	Payment option	Payment for the Bonds will be through cash payment (upto a maximum of Rs. 20,000) or demand draft or cheque or electronic banking.
11.	Issuance form	Government of India Stock under GS Act, 2006. The investors will be issued a Holding Certificate. The Bonds are eligible for conversion into demat form.
12.	Redemption price	The redemption price will be in Indian Rupees based on previous week's (Monday-Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by IBJA.
13.	Sales channel	Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices as may be notified and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange, either directly or through agents.
14.	Interest rate	The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value of investment.
15.	Collateral	Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is to be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by the Reserve Bank from time to time.
16.	KYC Documentation	Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as that for purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card/PAN or TAN /Passport will be required.
17.	Tax treatment	The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual has been exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long term capital gains arising to any person on transfer of bond
18.	Tradability	Bonds will be tradable on stock exchanges/NDS-OM from a date to be notified by RBI.
19.	SLR eligibility	The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio purposes.
20.	Commission	Commission for distribution of the bond shall be paid at the rate of 1% of the total subscription received by the receiving offices and receiving offices shall share at least 50% of the commission so received with the agents or sub agents for the business procured through them.

Source: PIB

Loan for Low Cost Houses

Loan for Low Cost Houses

Reserve Bank of India vide circular DBR.BP.BC.No. 74/08.12.015/2014-15 dated March 5, 2015 on “Housing Loans: Review of Instructions” has allowed banks to add stamp duty, registration and other documentation charges to the cost of the house/dwelling unit for the purpose of calculating Loan to Value (LTV) ratio, in cases where the cost of the house/dwelling unit does not exceed Rs. 10 lakh. This has been done with a view to encourage availability of affordable housing to borrowers from economically.

This was stated by Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State in Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

PIB

Auction for Sale of Government Stocks

Auction for Sale of Government Stocks

Ministry of Finance

03-February, 2015

The Government of India have announced the Sale (re-issue) of (i) “8.27 per cent Government Stock 2020” for a notified amount of Rs. 2,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (ii) “8.15 per cent Government Stock 2026” for a notified amount of Rs.5,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (iii) “8.24 per cent Government Stock 2033” for a notified amount of Rs. 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, and (iv) “8.17 per cent Government Stock 2044” for a notified amount of Rs. 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction. The auctions will be conducted using multiple price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI), Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on February 06, 2015 (Friday).

Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.

Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on February 06, 2015. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon.

The result of the auctions will be announced on February 06, 2015 and payment by successful bidders will be on February 09, 2015 (Monday).

The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide circular No. RBI/2006-07/178 dated November 16, 2006 as amended from time to time.

– PIB

Bank Charges for Non-Home Branch Customers

Bank Charges for Non-Home Branch Customers

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that they have advised Scheduled Commercial Banks, vide their circular dated 01.07.2013 to follow a uniform, fair and transparent pricing policy and not to discriminate between their customers at home branch and non-home branches. If a particular service is provided free at home branch, the same should be available free at non-home branches also.

There should be no discrimination as regards intersol charges between similar transactions done by customers at home branches and those done at non-home branches. However, cash handling charges are not included under intersol charges. The circular dated 01.07.2013 is available at RBI website www.rbi.org.in.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Aadhaar Card as Address Proof

Aadhaar Card as Address Proof

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified that the Aadhaar Card is a valid proof for opening of a bank account under the Know Your Customer (KYC) scheme.

RBI vide its circular dated 28.09.2011 has advised banks to accept the Aadhar letter issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as an officially valid document for opening bank accounts without any limitations applicable to small accounts. Further, the RBI has also advised the banks vide its circular dated 10.12.2012 that if the address provided by the account holder is the same as that on Aadhaar letter, it may be accepted as a proof of both identity and address.

This was stated by Shri Namo Narain Meena, MoS in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

PIB News

Payment of pension to the Central Government pensioners – Continuation of either or survivor pension account after death of a pensioner - RBI Instruction

Payment of pension to the Central Government pensioners – Continuation of either or survivor pension account after death of a pensioner - RBI Instruction

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
www.rbi.org.in

Ref. DGBA.GAD No. H-7386/45.01.001/2012-13

The Chairman / Managing Director
State Bank of India & its Associates Banks
Chairman & Managing Director
All Nationalised Banks & IDBI
Bank Ltd.
ICICI Bank Ltd, Axis Bank Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd.

Dear Sir,

Payment of pension to the Central Government pensioners – Continuation of either or survivor pension account after death of a pensioner

We have been receiving complaints from the pensioners that on death of a pensioner, banks are insisting on opening of a fresh account by the widow/widower  of the pensioner for the purpose of family pension.

2. In this connection, we advise that in case the spouse (Family pensioner) opts for existing joint account for credit of family pension, banks should not insist on opening of a new account when the spouse is the survivor and having a joint account with the pensioner and in whose favour an authorization fo payment of family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO).

3. We advise you to issue suitable instructions to your Regional Offices/branches authorised to disburse pension to the Central Government pensioners.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Satyapal Unni)
Assistant General Manager

Endt.DGBA.No.H.7387/45.01.001/2012-13 of date

Copy forwarded for information to

1. the Controller General of Accounts, Government of India, Ministry of Finance,  Department of Expenditure, Office of the Controller General of Accounts, 7th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110 511  with reference to his letter No.T-14018/31/2011/TA-III/279 dated May 17, 2013.

2. the Controller General of Defence Accounts, Government of India,  Ministry of Defence West Block-V, R K Puram, New Delhi -110 066 with reference to his letter No. AT/CC/P-Offrs/R-109/04/11 dated June 27, 2011

3. the Director, Finance (A), Government of India, Ministry of Railways, (Railway Board), New Delhi, with reference to his letter No.2011/AC-II/21/2 dated My 11, 2011

4. the Director (TAl), Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Departmentof Telecommunications, Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001 with reference to his letter No 6-138/1990-TA-l/Vol-Vll/606 dated May 4. 2011.

5. the Chief Controller (Pensions), Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Central Pension Accounting Office, Trikoot 2, Bikaji Cama Place, New Delhi 110 066 with reference to his letter No.CPAO/Tech/Misc/2010-11/345 dated May 4, 2011.

6. the Director (Budget and Admn, ), Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Government of India, PA Wing: PEA branch, Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

7. the Regional Director/General Manger, Reserve Bank of India, Public Accounts Department, Ahmedabad / Bangalore / Bhubaneswar / Belapur / Bhopal / Chandigarh / Chennai / Kolkata / Guwahati / Hyderabad / Jaipur/ Kanpur / Mumbai /New Delhi / Nagpur / Patna /Thiwvananthpuram

8. the Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Customer Service Department. CO 1st Floor, Amar Building, Sir P.M Road. Mumbai 400001

9. All Banking Ombudsmen.

(S.K.Vasave)
Manager