HomeCirculars › RBI/2004-05/347

Maturity proceeds for joint bond holders: single pay order allowed with POA

No longer current — replaced by Master Circular – Disbursement of Government Pension by Agency Banks (updated version replacing July 1, 2004 c
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/347 · issued 15 Jan 2005 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows banks to issue a single payment order for matured Relief/Savings Bonds to one joint holder if all others execute a Joint Holders Power of Attorney in their favour, improving customer convenience.

What changed

Previously, payment orders for matured Relief/Savings Bonds were issued in the names of all joint holders. Now, if all other joint holders execute a prescribed Joint Holders Power of Attorney in favour of one holder, the maturity proceeds can be released solely to that holder. This aligns with the existing practice for interest warrants, which were already allowed to be issued to the first holder with a similar POA.

What it means for you

Banks can now simplify the payout process for matured bonds held jointly, reducing operational friction and improving customer satisfaction. This change leverages Section 45 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, which permits devolution of joint rights when a contrary intention is declared via a POA. Lenders must ensure branches are trained to accept and verify the prescribed POA format before issuing single-name payment orders.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

State Bank of India and associate banks, 17 nationalised banks, ICICI, IDBI, HDFC, UTI Bank Ltd, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd, All designated branches operating the Relief/Savings Bonds scheme

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Can we issue a payment order to a joint holder without a Power of Attorney?

No. The payment order can only be issued in the name of one joint holder if all other joint holders have executed a Joint Holders Power of Attorney in their favour, as per the prescribed format.

Does this apply to interest warrants as well?

Yes. Interest warrants were already allowed to be issued in the name of the first holder subject to a Joint Holders Power of Attorney, as per the circular dated September 20, 2000.

Which banks are covered by this circular?

This applies to State Bank of India and its associate banks, 17 nationalised banks, ICICI, IDBI, HDFC, UTI Bank Ltd, and Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Superseded by Master Circular – Disbursement of Government Pension by Agency Banks (updated ve
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2004-05/347 No.CO.DT.13.01.299/H.6284-6313 /2004-05 January 15, 2005 The Chairman and Managing Director State Bank of India and Associate banks and 17 Nationalised banks. The Managing Director ICICI/IDBI/HDFC/UTI Bank Ltd. Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. Dear Sir, Relief / Savings Bonds Schemes – issue of Payment Orders / Drafts for matured Bonds We have been receiving suggestions from the Joint Holders of the captioned bonds that the Payment Orders representing the Maturity Proceeds in respect of Relief / Savings Bonds be issued in the name of any one of the investors instead of all the holders as is being done at present. The matter was examined by us and we advise that "Section 45 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 deals with the devolution of joint rights. It provides for a contrary intention to be declared. Joint Holders Power of Attorney declares the intention of the Joint Holders who sign it. As such, there can be no objection to release the payment of maturity proceeds in favour of the joint holder in whose favour all other remaining holders have executed a power of attorney as per the prescribed format of Joint Holders Power of Attorney. It will be in order to issue a pay order in the name of the Joint Holder in whose favour the said Power of Attorney has been executed". 2. In the light of the above and with a view to providing better customer service, it has now been decided to allow release of Maturity Proceeds also in favour of one of the joint holders in whose favour all other remaining holders have executed a Power of Attorney as per the Joint Holders Power of Attorney (format enclosed). Interest Warrants are already allowed to be issued in the name of first holder subject to obtention of Joint Holders Power of Attorney. (cf. No.CO.DT.13.01.201/1488/2000-01 dated September 20, 2000). 3. You may, therefore, issue Payment Order representing the Maturity Proceed, if requested, in the name of the Joint Holder in whose favour the Power of Attorney has been executed. 4. Please issue necessary instructions to the designated branches operating the scheme. 5. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully Sd/- (D. Rajagopala Rao) Deputy General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/347 · issued 15 Jan 2005. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2100&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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