Regarding various issues raised by Small Savings Agents Association - Directorate Letter dated 22/02/2024

Addressing Issues Raised by Small Savings Agents Association - DOP Directorate OM No.FS-12/12/2023-FS-DOP dated 22/02/2024

• The Department of Posts (Financial Services Division) issued a directive on February 22, 2024, addressing various concerns raised by the Small Savings Agents Association, reiterating previously issued instructions regarding TDS certificates, account closure procedures, handling network failures, dedicated agent business hours, and providing basic amenities.
• Specific instructions include issuing quarterly TDS certificates (Form 16A), designating single and double-handed post offices for account closure, allowing agents to conduct transactions at other CBS post offices during network outages, establishing dedicated business hours for agents without impacting public service, and providing basic amenities like water and toilets.
• The directive emphasizes the importance of following POSB Manual 2021 rules and SB Order 34/2020, mandating POSB transactions for all schemes across all POSB counters, urging all circles to implement these measures effectively.

https://www.potoolsblog.in/2025/01/regarding-various-issues-raised-by.html

FS-12/12/2023-FS-DOP

Government of India Ministry of Communications 

Department of Posts (Financial Services Division)

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001 

Dated: 22.02.2024

To,

All Head of Circles

Subject: Regarding various issues raised by Small Savings Agents Association.

Madam/Sir,

This is regarding a VIP reference pertaining to various issues raised by Small Savings Agents Association.

2. Vide reference, various issues have been raised by Agents Association in which directions have already been issued by the Directorate. However, following directions already issued are again brought to notice of all concerned.

i. A TDS certificate in the Form No. 16 A is to be issued quarterly for TDS deducted on Agent commission by TDS deductors. (Refer: Rule 3 (iv) of Appendix 12 of POSB CBS Manual 2021)

ii. At the time of closure of any TDA type of account (RD,TD,MIS,SCSS,KVP and NSC), only single and double handed post offices (including BOs) shall collect closed passbook from the account holder (Refer: para 5 (b) of SB order no. 01/2022).

iii. In case any CBS Post Office is not working due to network failure or any other issues, the collection of SAS/MPKBY agents may be accepted in other CBS Post Office (HO/SO) under the same Head Post Office. (Refer: Rule 170 (2) of POSB CBS Manual 2021)

iv. A separate business hour for acceptance of business from agents during the business hours of the post offices shall be fixed by the authority competent to issue Notice of Hours of Business, according to the local convenience of the post office, in order to ensure that the agents can come and transact their business during these hours. It should be ensured that under no circumstances, service to the general public is affected due to fixing of separate business hours for agents. (Rule 166(3) of POSB CBS Manual 2021].

v. Basic amenities like drinking water, toilet etc., may be provided to agents.

vi. In the light of the SB Order 34/2020, it is also requested that POSB transactions for all schemes should be carried out on all POSB counters.

3.It is therefore, all Circles are requested to take necessary action into the matter as above.

4.This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Encl:- As above.

Yours faithfully,

Signed by Devender Kumar Sharma

Date: 22-02-2024 16:39:04 Reason: Approved

(Devender Kumar Sharma)

Assistant Director (SB-II)