Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001, Dated: 9.4.2008 To
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.
Subject:- Closure of Savings Bank account and supply of SB-3 along with account closure form to SBCO- revised instructions regarding.
Sir / Madam,
The undersigned is directed to say that it has been brought to the notice of this office that in case of closure of Saving Bank accounts, Revised SB-3 forms are being supplied to SBCO along with account closure form instead of original SB-3 on the pretext of non-availability of the same. In case of some SOs, revised SB-3 forms have been found prepared with forged signatures resulting in detection of fraud cases at a later stage. In this regard, it seems that procedure prescribed in Rule 21(1) of POSB Manual Vol-I (corrected up to 31.12.2006 and available on web-site) for keeping SB-3 forms in guard files with rings in steel almirahs in bundles of 150-200 and further keeping them locked at the end of the day by the Postmaster are not being followed scrupulously which is leading to inconvenience to the depositors and detection of frauds at a very late stage.
2. It is requested that a special drive in all SO/HPOs may be started to check continuity of all type of SB-3s in all POSB schemes and revised SB-3 forms of all those found missing may be obtained. While taking revised SB-3, obtaining of proper introduction of the depositor on the revised SB-3 as prescribed in the rules for opening of account and copy of identity proof of the depositor should be made compulsory.
3. It may also be ensured that in all SO/HPOs, SB-3 froms should be kept in the manner prescribed in Rule 21(1) of POSB Manual Vol-I as mentioned in Para 1 above and in case of any lapse in this regard, responsibility may be fixed.
4. It is further requested that this revised instruction may be brought to the notice of all Post Offices. I/C SBCO will intimate such type of irregularities to the concerned Divisional Head and from the date of receipt of this order, non-supply of copy of identity proof with Revised SB-3 may be treated as CORRUPT PRACTICE and dealt with accordingly.
5. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS)
Yours faithfully, (Kawal Jit Singh)
ASP(SB&SC) Encl. Copy of rule 21(1) of POSB Manual Vol-I
Copy to:-
1. Director (Fgn.Post & Mkt) O/o CPMG T.N Circle. 2. Director of Audit (P&T), Delhi.
3. All Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts, Postal 4. Director, Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad. 5. All Directors, Postal Training Centers. 6. DDG (FS)/ DDG(VIG)/DDG(Estt.) 7. ADG(BS)/ ADG(CB)/ADG(SBC)
8. AD Inspection/Vigilance/Postal Accounts Section 9. All Accounts Officers ICO(SB)
10. All recognized Staff Unions and Associations.
11. Min. of Finance (DEA) NS-II section, North Block, New Delhi. 12. PS to Member (I&FS)
S.B. ORDER NO. 9/2008 NO. 16-5/2007-SB(AO)
Government of India
Ministry of Communication and IT Department of Posts (FS Division) Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001. Dated: 10.04.2008. To
All Heads of Circles/Regions,
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.
Subject: Non-deduction of income tax at source on the payments of interest under Sr. Citizens Small Savings Scheme, 2004.
Sir/Madam,
The undersigned is directed to say that of late this Directorate is receiving draft audit paras on non deduction of income tax at source on the payments of interest under Sr. Citizens Savings Scheme, 2004. Instructions have already been issued to all Heads of Circles/Regions regarding the procedure to be followed on the above subject vide this office letter No. 79- 08/2004-FS (Vol. V) dated 25.05.2007 (SB Order No. 4/2007) and letter No. 79-8/2004-FS (Vol. V) dated 25.10.2007 (SB Order No. 14/2007).
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Rules, 2004 came into effect from August 2004. The deposits made under these rules carry interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of deposit payable quarterly. It further envisaged that the applicant while applying for the scheme has to furnish his/her Permanent Account Number or a self declaration to the effect that his/her income from all sources including the interest from the account to be opened did not exceed the exemption limit. Section 194 A of the Income Tax Act, 1962 specified that Tax Deduction at Source is recoverable from the income by way of interest, if the interest exceeds Rs. 5,000/- (Rs. 10,000/- w.e.f. 1.6.2007) in a financial year. Ministry of Finance has clarified in June 2006 that TDS would be applicable from the very first day the SCSS was made operational.
The Director General of Audit, P&T has observed that the Postmasters in many Circles did not observe the provisions of the Income Tax Act which led to non deduction of Income Tax at Source on the payments of interest under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004. The observations of the DGA, P&T received through draft audit paragraphs are ultimately included in
the Annual Reports of the Controller & Auditor General of India. Due to these irregularities, the Department may have to bear adverse remarks of the Public Account Committee and other Statutory Institutions. Besides this, considerable times needs to be spent in preparation of Action Taken Notes, getting them vetted by Audit and submission thereof to the Monitoring Cell of the Ministry of Finance.
Under these circumstances, it is requested that all the Sub and Head Postmasters may be instructed suitably to observe strictly the provisions of Income Tax Act as and where applicable while making payments so as to avoid any further adverse comments in this matter.
This issues with the approval of DDG (FS).
(P. Panneerselvam) Accounts Officer (FS) Tel. No. 23036461 Copy to :-
1. Director (Fgn. Post & Mkt.) O/o Pr. CPMG, T.N. Circle. 2. Director of Audit (P&T), Delhi.
3. All Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts, Postal. 4. Director, Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad. 5. All Directors, Postal Training Centres. 6. DDG (VIG)/DDG (Estt.)
7. ADG (BS)/ADG (Pension)/ADG (CB)/ADG (SBC)
8. AD/Inspection/PF/Vigilance/Postal Accounts Section. 9. All Accounts Officers ICO (SB)
10. All recognized Staff Unions and Associations.
11. Min. of Finance (DEA) NS-II Section, North Block, New Delhi. 12. PS to Member (I&FS).
SB ORDER NO. 10/2008