The Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts in India has issued an Office Memorandum clarifying the admissibility of interest on GPF (General Provident Fund) subscriptions exceeding the threshold limit of Rupees Five Lakhs.
The clarification was sought by some of the PAOs (Pay and Accounts Offices) regarding the regulation of GPF subscription for government servants whose total GPF subscription for the financial year 2022-23 has already exceeded the limit of Rs 5 lakhs, even after the provision of minimum monthly subscription of 6% of emoluments.
Clarification regarding admissibility of interest over and above the threshold limit of Rupees Five Lakhs
28-01/2022-2023 PA (PEA) 793-853
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
P.A Wing Dak Bhawan,
New Delhi- 110001.
Dated 30.06.2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Clarification regarding admissibility of interest over and above the threshold limit of Rupees Five Lakhs.
References were received from some of the PAOs of this Department as to how the GPF subscription is to be regulated in the case of those government servants in which cases the total subscription of GPF in the current financial year ( 2022-23) has already been exceeded the limit of Rs 5 lakhs even after relaxation of provision of minimum monthly subscription of 6% of emoluments and as to whether interest is payable on excess amount of subscription in the Financial Year 2022-23.
- Accordingly, clarification was sought from the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare. In response, DOP&PW in para 4 of the UO ID Note No 3/6/2023 P&PW(F) dated 12.06.2023 has clarified as below:
“Para 4: In respect of the question of payment of interest on the amount exceeding Rs. 5.00 lakhs, the above mentioned instructions of this Department do not intend to deny interest on the GPF subscription over and above the ceiling of Rs. five lakhs, in cases where the amount of total subscription in the year 2022-23 in respect of a Government servant exceeds Rs. Five lakh. The interest on the subscription in excess of Rs five lakh shall however, be subject to income tax, as per the rules notified by the Department of Revenue. Department of Posts may take necessary administrative action accordingly.”
- Thus, regarding payment of interest during FY 2022-2023 on the amount exceeding 5 lakhs, the decision conveyed by DOP&PW as cited above may be followed. However, the instructions contained in DOP&PW Gazette notification dated 15.06.2022 and OM dated 02.11.2022 should be strictly adhered by all DDOs/PAOs.
- This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.
(Saurabh M. Deshmukh)
Director (Accounts)
011-23096180.