What changed
RBI issued a fresh circular on April 9, 2007, reminding all state and central co-operative banks of the existing 1991 instruction on rounding off transactions to the nearest rupee. The trigger was a Gujarat High Court case where a bank refused a draft with paise fractions for a government account, leading the court to direct RBI to ensure banks accept such instruments.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately stop any internal practice of rejecting cheques or drafts with fractional rupee amounts. Staff need clear training on this rule, and any violation could lead to regulatory penalties. This protects customer convenience and avoids legal trouble.
What you must do
- Review and update internal circulars to explicitly prohibit rejection of cheques/drafts with paise fractions.
- Train all branch staff and collection teams on the rounding-off rule and the legal consequences of non-compliance.
- Establish a disciplinary process for staff who refuse such instruments, as directed by RBI.
- Ensure acknowledgment of this circular is sent to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks
What exactly is the rounding-off rule for transactions?
Per RBI's 1991 circular, all transactions including interest payments must be rounded to the nearest rupee: fractions of 50 paise and above go up to the next rupee, and fractions below 50 paise are ignored. However, this does not apply to cheques/drafts issued by clients—those must be accepted even if they contain paise fractions.
What happens if my bank rejects a cheque with paise fractions?
RBI has warned that any bank violating these instructions is liable to be penalised under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Additionally, the Gujarat High Court has directed RBI to take stern action against individuals who refuse such instruments.
Does this circular apply only to co-operative banks?
The circular is addressed to all State and Central Co-operative Banks, but the underlying 1991 instruction applies to all banks. The directive to not reject cheques with fractional rupees is a general banking requirement.