Monday, 24 November 2014

National Savings Institute

National Savings Institute:- works under Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The Institute is entrusted with the task of mobilization of savings in National Savings Schemes of Government of India, operated through Post Offices and selected branches of Banks throughout the country. For promotion and mobilization of savings, the Institute undertakes various activities which include national-level publicity of the schemes, collection and collation of data, printing of savings instruments from India Security Press, Nasik and supply to Circle Stamp Depots of Department of Posts, imparting training to officials / officers of Department of Posts, Banks, State Governments and various agents, liaison and coordination with the State Governments / Banks/ Department of Posts / Extension Agencies, redressal of investors’ grievances, International Cooperation and providing policy inputs to the Ministry of Finance on matters relating to National Savings.

VISION:

Economically strong and financially self-reliant Indian society with ‘regular savings – a way of life’.
                                   
MISSION:
Mobilization of Savings by inculcation of habit of thrift among the masses and to provide avenues for safe and convenient investment to the small savers.

OBJECTIVES:
  1. To create awareness about importance of savings and popularize National Savings Schemes for financial inclusion and mobilization of resources for financing developmental plans of the State and Central Government.
  2. To provide savings instruments to all sections of the society as per their saving potential and need to attain individual financial self sufficiency.
  3. Development of skill and motivation of the Sales and Service Delivery Personnel.
  4. To ensure all time availability and maintenance of optimal stock of savings certificates, AAR Books, CTS Cheque Books, ASLAAS-5 Cards with post offices and appointing authorities of agents.
  5. To check and ensure compliance of AML/CFT norms, under the PML Act, 2002, applicable on National Savings Schemes.
  6. Redressal of investors’ grievances and queries.

Functions

1.    Organizing outreach campaigns for creating awareness about savings and promote financial inclusion.
2.    All India publicity of National Savings Schemes involving audio-visual and print media.
3.    Collection and collation of data regarding performance of the schemes.
4.    Collection of investors feed back on the schemes.
5.    Preparation of policy input report for designing and restructuring of the National Savings Schemes and submission to the Ministry of Finance.
6.    International cooperation in the field of mobilization of savings, with World Savings Banks Institute and its Member countries..
7.    Organising training programmes for personnel of State Govt./Banks/Post Offices and authorized agents.
8.    Monitoring of printing and supply of savings certificates and CTS Cheque Books by the ISP, Nasik.
9.     Monitoring of printing and supply of ASLAAS-5 Cards and Authorized Agents’ Receipt Books by the Government of India Presses.
10. Payment of printing charges to ISP Nasik and Govt. of India Presses.
11. Inspection of Post Offices for ensuring compliance of AML/CFT norms under the PML Act 2002, applicable on National Savings Schemes.
12. Coordination with State Directorates of Small Savings, Deptt. of Posts, Banks and authorized agents and redressal of investors’ grievances and queries.

Progress of National Savings
 National Savings Schemes of Government of India provide complete security of investment, offer attractive rate of interest and are available to the investors through about 1,56,000 Branches of Post Office Savings Bank and the facility to save in 15 Year Public Provident Fund and Senior Citizen’s Savings Scheme is also available with selected branches of State Bank of India and its associated banks, other nationalized banks and some private banks.  The schemes are very popular among the masses due to their attractive features.  Gross collections in National Savings Schemes during the year 2012-13 were Rs. 1,96,721.19 crore, excluding collections made in Public Provident Fund and Senior Citizen’s Savings Scheme by the banks.

National Small Savings Fund
 All deposits received under National Savings Schemes are credited to the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) – a public account established w.e.f. 1.4.1999.  All withdrawals by the depositors are made out of the accumulations in the fund.  The balance in the fund is invested in special securities of the State and Central Governments as per the norms decided by the Central Govt. from time to time.  With effect from 1.12.2011, minimum 50 % of the net collections in a State or Union Territory with legislature are being invested in special securities issued by the concerned State or Union Territory Governments.  The remaining fund is invested in Central Government securities or lent to other Union / State Governments or in securities issued by infrastructure companies or agencies fully owned by the Central Government.

Extension agencies
To facilitate the work of popularization of National Savings Schemes and securing investment from the public, authorized agents are appointed by the State Governments.  Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat yojana Agency is meant for women agents only who canvas and secure deposits under 5 Year Recurring Deposit account and Standardised Agency System agents promote and secure investment for other savings schemes.  To make savings easy and automatic for salaried people, Pay Roll  Savings  Group are formed in public and private sector establishments to save regularly and directly from their salaries.  Extra Departmental Branch Post Masters help mobilizing savings in rural areas.  To inculcate the habit of thrift among the students, School Savings Banks called ‘Sanchayikas’ are established in schools.  National Savings Institute provides support by way of training, guidance and motivation to these extension agencies.

 By.India Development Foundation

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