Govt to revise small savings rates soon

New Delhi, February 11

The government will revise interest rates for small savings schemes in a day or two so as to align them with market rates, but keep them unchanged for the girl child and senior citizens, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said today.

"The decisions have been taken and executive order and notification would be issued in a day or two. Broadly the underlying philosophy of small savings rate changes is to make the rate more frequently market aligned, make it as closely market aligned as possible," he said.

Small savings rates are linked to Government Securities' and readjusted every year, he said, adding that now they will be an adjusted on quarterly basis.

The new rates would be applicable from April 1, 2016, he added.

"First effect of these changes will take place from 1st of April. They will be reset from 1st April," he said.

Smalls saving schemes include Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS), PPF, Post Office fixed Deposit Scheme, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, Post Office Savings Account and Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts.

"At the same time, taking into consideration the interest of small savers and some important social sector measures of the government, the rates under the girl child scheme, the senior citizen scheme...they will continue as it is. They will have quarterly adjustments but whatever spreads they have over the G-Sec rates will not be altered," he said.

Similarly, all long term savings over five years will continue to have the spread, he said, adding that at the shorter end of the curve the effort has been such that the reduction in rates is passed on and given effect to the system. —PTI