GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Senior Citizen Scheme-2004

Government of India have decided to operate the scheme through all branches of Public Sector Banks which are operating PPF Scheme, 1968.

Eligibility

• An individual who has attained the age of 60 years and above on the date of opening of an account.

• who has attained the age of 55 years or more but less than 60 years and who has retired on superannuation or otherwise on the date of opening an account.

• who has retired at any time before the commencement of these rules and attained the age of 55 years or more on the date of opening of an account,

• The retired personnel of Defence Services (excluding civilian Defence employees) irrespective of the above age limits subject to fulfillment of other specified conditions.

NRI

NRI's are not eligible to open an account under these rules.

HUF

Hindu Undivided Family is also not eligible to open an account under these rules.

Salient features

• Any depositor may open an account at any deposit office by making an application in Form A alongwith the amount of deposit in multiple of one thousand rupees, along with age proof.

• A depositor may operate more than one account subject to the condition that deposits in all accounts taken together shall not exceed the maximum limit of Rs.15 lakh and provided that deposits by depositors shall be restricted to the retirement benefits of Rupees fifteen lakh whichever is lower.

A depositor may open the account in individual capacity or jointly with spouse.

Deposits and withdrawals

There shall be only one deposit in the account in multiple of one thousand rupees not exceeding rupees fifteen lakhs.

No withdrawal shall be permitted under these rules before the expiry of a period of five years from the date of opening of an account.

Mode of Deposit
The deposit under these rules may be made :

1. In cash, if the amount of deposit is less than rupees one lakhs.

2. By cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of the depositor and endorsed in favour of the deposit office.

Renewal

The depositor may extend the account for a further period of three years after the maturity period of five years. An application in Form B should be made within a period of one year after the date of maturity period.

Interest on Deposit
The deposit made under these rules shall bear interest @ 9 % p.a. from the date of deposit payable at the end of each calendar quarter e.g. 31st March / 30th June / 30th September / 31st December.

Nomination
The depositor may nominate a person or persons, at the time of opening of the account or at any time after the opening of the account but before its closure, by an application on Form C accompanied by the passbook to the Branch.

Nomination made by the depositor can be cancelled or varied.

Closure of Account

Maturity

The deposit made at the time of opening of account shall be paid by the concerned deposit office after the expiry of five years from the date of opening of the account on production of the passbook accompanied by a written application (withdrawal form) Form E.

In case the depositor does not close the account on maturity and also does not extend the account, the account will be treated as matured and the depositor will be entitled to interest at the rate applicable to the deposits under post office savings account during the post maturity period.

Death of the depositor

In case of death of the depositor before maturity the account shall be closed and deposit refunded on application in Form F alongwith interest to the nominee or legal heirs in case the nominee has also expired or nomination was not made as per rules.

If the total amount including interest payable is upto rupees one lakh it may be paid to the legal heirs on production of (i) letter of indemnity (ii) an affidavit (iii) a letter of disclaimer on affidavit (iv) a certificate of death of the depositor on stamped paper in the form as in Annexure to Form F.

Premature closure of Account

On an application in Form E the depositor may be permitted to withdraw the deposit and close the account at any time after the expiry of one year from the date of opening of the account subject to the following conditions :-
(a) In case the account is closed after the expiry of one year but before the expiry of two years from the date of opening of the account, an amount equal to one and half percent of the deposit shall be deducted and the balance paid to the depositor.
(b) In case the account is closed on or after the expiry of two years from the dat of opening of the account, an amount equal to one percent of the deposit shall be deducted and balance paid to the depositor.

Transfer of Account

A depositor may apply on Form G for transfer of his account from one deposit office to another in case of change of residence.