Now, buy NSC, MIS from banks

New Delhi, October 20

To encourage savings, the government has allowed banks, including top three private sector lenders — ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, to accept deposits under various small savings schemes such as National Savings Certificate (NSC), recurring deposits and monthly income scheme (MIS).

Until now, most of the small savings schemes were sold through post offices.

According to a recent government notification, banks can also sell National Savings Time Deposit Scheme 1981, National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme 1987, National Savings Recurring Deposit Scheme 1981 and NSC VIII issue. As per the notification, all public sector banks, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank to receive subscription from the expanded portfolios.

So far, these banks were allowed to receive subscription under Public Provident Fund, Kisan Vikas Patra-2014, Sukanya Samriddhi Account, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme-2004.

Increased outlets for selling small savings schemes would result in higher mobilisation.

Last month, the government kept unchanged interest rates on small savings schemes for the October-December quarter. Since April last year, interest rates on all small saving schemes have been recalibrated on a quarterly basis.

Investments in the public provident fund (PPF) scheme will fetch annual rate of 7.8 per cent while Kisan Vikas Patra investments will yield 7.5 per cent and mature in 115 months.

The one for girl child savings, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, will offer 8.3 per cent annually. Similarly, the investment on the five-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will yield 8.3 per cent. The interest rate on the senior citizens scheme is paid quarterly.

On the basis of the government decision, interest rates for small savings schemes are to be notified on a quarterly basis since April 1, 2016, the ministry said while notifying the rates for the third quarter of the financial year 2017- 18. — PTI