Inflation indexed bonds to protect small investors
Updated: Dec 20, 2013 04:57:12pm
New Delhi, Dec 20 (KNN) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is launching Inflation Indexed National Saving Securities-Cumulative (IINSS-C) to protect small investors against inflation which has been eating into their real savings. As the scheme is to be launched on December-23, there is a lot of excitement among the small investors about these bonds who also have many queries.
These securities are being launched in the backdrop of the announcement made in the Union Budget 2013-14 to introduce instruments that will protect savings from inflation, especially the savings of the poor and middle classes.
The interest will be few percentage points higher than the consumer price index (CPI). The return on the IINSS-C is linked to the CPI. Since it is the CPI inflation that impacts the people significantly, this offers a better hedge against inflation.
As this issue is of much interest to the investors, following are the FAQ’s clearing several doubts on the scheme:
1. Who is eligible to invest in the Inflation Indexed National Saving Securities-Cumulative (IINSS-C)?
Only retail investors would be eligible to invest in these securities. The retail investors would include individuals, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), charitable institutions registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act and Universities incorporated by Central, State or Provincial Act or declared to be a university under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956).
2. What is the interest rate on these securities?
There will be two parts in the interest rate. One, fixed rate of 1.5 per cent per annum and second, inflation rate.
For example, if inflation rate during the six months is 5 per cent, then interest rate for these six months would be 5.75 per cent (i.e. fixed rate -0.75 per cent and inflation rate -5 per cent).
3. Is there any floor as inflation may turn into deflation at times?
Yes, fixed rate of 1.5 per cent would act as a floor, which means that 1.5 per cent per annum interest rate is guaranteed if there is deflation.
For example, if inflation rate is (-) 5 per cent, then interest rate should be (-) 3.5 per cent by simple calculation. But in such case, negative inflation will not be recognised and investors would get fixed rate of 1.5 per cent.
4. When do I get interest?
Interest rate will be accrued and compounded in the principal on half-yearly basis and paid along with principal at the time redemption.
5. What will I get on redemption?
On redemption, investors will get principal and compounded interest rate.
6. What is the inflation index to which inflation rate will be linked?
Inflation rate will be based on the final combined Consumer Price Index [(CPI) base: 2010=100].
The final combined CPI will be used as reference CPI with a lag of three months. For example, the final combined CPI for September 2013 will be used as reference CPI for whole of December 2013.
7. What will be the process of investing?
Investors can invest through the authorised banks and Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL).
They will fill an application form and submit the same along with other documents and payment to the bank.
On receipt of money, the bank will register the investor on the RBI’s web-based platform (E-Kuber) and on validation, generate the Certificate of Holding.
8. What will be the form of these securities?
These securities will be issued in the form of Bonds Ledger Account (BLA) The securities in the form of BLA will be issued and held with RBI and thus, RBI will act as central depository. A certificate of holding will be issued to the holder of Bonds in BLA.
9. Which are the authorised banks?
The authorised banks are SBI & Associates, Nationalised Banks, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.
10. Should the customer apply through the bank in which he/she has an account?
Customers can approach any of the authorised banks, including SHCIL for such investment irrespective of whether they hold an account or not with that bank.
11. Who will provide the other customer services to the investors after issuance of securities?
The banks through which these securities have been purchased will provide other customer services.
Investors can approach the banks for other services such as change of address, early redemption, nomination, lien marking, etc.
12. Whether joint holding will be allowed?
Yes, joint holding will be allowed.
13. What is the minimum and maximum limit for investment?
The minimum investment limit is Rs 5,000/- (five thousand).
The maximum limit is Rs 500,000/- (five lakh) per applicant per annum.
14. Whether premature redemption is allowed?
Yes premature redemption is allowed.
For senior citizens above 65 years, the premature redemption is allowed after one year. For others, it is allowed after 3 years.
Penalty at the rate of half of the last payable coupon will be charged from the investors. For example, if last payable coupon is Rs 1,000, then Rs 500 would be charged as penalty.
15. How do I redeem these securities?
In case of redemption prematurely before the maturity date, investors can approach the concerned bank few days before the coupon date and apply.
In case of redemption on maturity, the investor will be advised one month before maturity regarding the ensuing maturity of the bond advising them to provide a Letter of Acquaintance, confirming the NEFT account details, etc. If everything is in order the investor has to be paid within maximum five days of the maturity (to take care of any payment in the form of physical instrument).
16. Whether these securities transferable?
Transferability is allowed to the nominee(s) only for individual investors on death of holder.
Transferability is not allowed for other investors
17. Can I use these securities as collateral for loans?
Yes, these securities are eligible to be used as collateral for loans from banks, financial Institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies, (NBFC).
18. What are the tax implications?
Existing taxation applicable to Government of India securities issued as part of the market borrowing will be applicable to these securities.
19. Whether TDS will be applicable?
Existing taxation applicable to Government of India securities will be applicable to these securities.
Sub-section (iv) of the Section 193 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 stipulates that no tax shall be deducted from any interest payable on any security of the Central Government or a State Government, provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to the interest exceeding rupees ten thousand payable on 8 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 during the financial year.
As per the above Section, TDS shall not be deducted from any interest payable on IINSS-C, until and unless notified by the Government of India otherwise.
20. Who will do the KYC?
As customers will be owned by the banks, KYC will also be done by the banks.
21. When will customers be issued securities?
The customers should be issued the securities after receiving clear money. After receiving clear money, banks should register the customer on CBS and generate Certificate of Holding.
22. Where can investors get the application form?
The application form can be downloaded from the RBI’s website. However, banks shall also get forms printed and made available to the investors.
23. An example of cash flows/ compounding of principal for illustration purpose is as under:
These securities are being launched in the backdrop of the announcement made in the Union Budget 2013-14 to introduce instruments that will protect savings from inflation, especially the savings of the poor and middle classes.
The interest will be few percentage points higher than the consumer price index (CPI). The return on the IINSS-C is linked to the CPI. Since it is the CPI inflation that impacts the people significantly, this offers a better hedge against inflation.
As this issue is of much interest to the investors, following are the FAQ’s clearing several doubts on the scheme:
1. Who is eligible to invest in the Inflation Indexed National Saving Securities-Cumulative (IINSS-C)?
Only retail investors would be eligible to invest in these securities. The retail investors would include individuals, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), charitable institutions registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act and Universities incorporated by Central, State or Provincial Act or declared to be a university under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956).
2. What is the interest rate on these securities?
There will be two parts in the interest rate. One, fixed rate of 1.5 per cent per annum and second, inflation rate.
For example, if inflation rate during the six months is 5 per cent, then interest rate for these six months would be 5.75 per cent (i.e. fixed rate -0.75 per cent and inflation rate -5 per cent).
3. Is there any floor as inflation may turn into deflation at times?
Yes, fixed rate of 1.5 per cent would act as a floor, which means that 1.5 per cent per annum interest rate is guaranteed if there is deflation.
For example, if inflation rate is (-) 5 per cent, then interest rate should be (-) 3.5 per cent by simple calculation. But in such case, negative inflation will not be recognised and investors would get fixed rate of 1.5 per cent.
4. When do I get interest?
Interest rate will be accrued and compounded in the principal on half-yearly basis and paid along with principal at the time redemption.
5. What will I get on redemption?
On redemption, investors will get principal and compounded interest rate.
6. What is the inflation index to which inflation rate will be linked?
Inflation rate will be based on the final combined Consumer Price Index [(CPI) base: 2010=100].
The final combined CPI will be used as reference CPI with a lag of three months. For example, the final combined CPI for September 2013 will be used as reference CPI for whole of December 2013.
7. What will be the process of investing?
Investors can invest through the authorised banks and Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL).
They will fill an application form and submit the same along with other documents and payment to the bank.
On receipt of money, the bank will register the investor on the RBI’s web-based platform (E-Kuber) and on validation, generate the Certificate of Holding.
8. What will be the form of these securities?
These securities will be issued in the form of Bonds Ledger Account (BLA) The securities in the form of BLA will be issued and held with RBI and thus, RBI will act as central depository. A certificate of holding will be issued to the holder of Bonds in BLA.
9. Which are the authorised banks?
The authorised banks are SBI & Associates, Nationalised Banks, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.
10. Should the customer apply through the bank in which he/she has an account?
Customers can approach any of the authorised banks, including SHCIL for such investment irrespective of whether they hold an account or not with that bank.
11. Who will provide the other customer services to the investors after issuance of securities?
The banks through which these securities have been purchased will provide other customer services.
Investors can approach the banks for other services such as change of address, early redemption, nomination, lien marking, etc.
12. Whether joint holding will be allowed?
Yes, joint holding will be allowed.
13. What is the minimum and maximum limit for investment?
The minimum investment limit is Rs 5,000/- (five thousand).
The maximum limit is Rs 500,000/- (five lakh) per applicant per annum.
14. Whether premature redemption is allowed?
Yes premature redemption is allowed.
For senior citizens above 65 years, the premature redemption is allowed after one year. For others, it is allowed after 3 years.
Penalty at the rate of half of the last payable coupon will be charged from the investors. For example, if last payable coupon is Rs 1,000, then Rs 500 would be charged as penalty.
15. How do I redeem these securities?
In case of redemption prematurely before the maturity date, investors can approach the concerned bank few days before the coupon date and apply.
In case of redemption on maturity, the investor will be advised one month before maturity regarding the ensuing maturity of the bond advising them to provide a Letter of Acquaintance, confirming the NEFT account details, etc. If everything is in order the investor has to be paid within maximum five days of the maturity (to take care of any payment in the form of physical instrument).
16. Whether these securities transferable?
Transferability is allowed to the nominee(s) only for individual investors on death of holder.
Transferability is not allowed for other investors
17. Can I use these securities as collateral for loans?
Yes, these securities are eligible to be used as collateral for loans from banks, financial Institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies, (NBFC).
18. What are the tax implications?
Existing taxation applicable to Government of India securities issued as part of the market borrowing will be applicable to these securities.
19. Whether TDS will be applicable?
Existing taxation applicable to Government of India securities will be applicable to these securities.
Sub-section (iv) of the Section 193 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 stipulates that no tax shall be deducted from any interest payable on any security of the Central Government or a State Government, provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to the interest exceeding rupees ten thousand payable on 8 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 during the financial year.
As per the above Section, TDS shall not be deducted from any interest payable on IINSS-C, until and unless notified by the Government of India otherwise.
20. Who will do the KYC?
As customers will be owned by the banks, KYC will also be done by the banks.
21. When will customers be issued securities?
The customers should be issued the securities after receiving clear money. After receiving clear money, banks should register the customer on CBS and generate Certificate of Holding.
22. Where can investors get the application form?
The application form can be downloaded from the RBI’s website. However, banks shall also get forms printed and made available to the investors.
23. An example of cash flows/ compounding of principal for illustration purpose is as under:
| Fixed rate 1.5% per annum | ||||||
| Issue/ Coupon/ maturity date | Fixed rate | CPI | Inflation rate | Interest rate (Compounding rate) | Principal | |
| I | II | III | IV | V=II+IV | VI=VI*V | |
| 25-Dec-13 | 150 | 5000 | ||||
| 25-Jun-14 | 0.75 | 160 | 6.67 | 7.4 | 5371 | |
| 25-Dec-14 | 0.75 | 166 | 3.75 | 4.5 | 5613 | |
| 25-Jun-15 | 0.75 | 175 | 5.42 | 6.2 | 5959 | |
| 25-Dec-15 | 0.75 | 185 | 5.71 | 6.5 | 6344 | |
| 25-Jun-16 | 0.75 | 190 | 2.70 | 3.5 | 6563 | |
| 25-Dec-16 | 0.75 | 200 | 5.26 | 6.0 | 6958 | |
| 25-Jun-17 | 0.75 | 210 | 5.00 | 5.8 | 7358 | |
| 25-Dec-17 | 0.75 | 218 | 3.81 | 4.6 | 7693 | |
| 25-Jun-18 | 0.75 | 228 | 4.59 | 5.3 | 8104 | |
| 25-Dec-18 | 0.75 | 235 | 3.07 | 3.8 | 8414 | |
| 25-Jun-19 | 0.75 | 246 | 4.68 | 5.4 | 8870 | |
| 25-Dec-19 | 0.75 | 255 | 3.66 | 4.4 | 9262 | |
| 25-Jun-20 | 0.75 | 265 | 3.92 | 4.7 | 9694 | |
| 25-Dec-20 | 0.75 | 280 | 5.66 | 6.4 | 10316 | |
| 25-Jun-21 | 0.75 | 290 | 3.57 | 4.3 | 10761 | |
| 25-Dec-21 | 0.75 | 305 | 5.17 | 5.9 | 11399 | |
| 25-Jun-22 | 0.75 | 316 | 3.61 | 4.4 | 11895 | |
| 25-Dec-22 | 0.75 | 330 | 4.43 | 5.2 | 12512 | |
| 25-Jun-23 | 0.75 | 340 | 3.03 | 3.8 | 12985 | |
| 25-Dec-23 | 0.75 | 355 | 4.41 | 5.2 | 13655 |
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