## Report on Reserve Bank of India's Master Direction on Penal Provisions in Reporting of Currency Chest Transactions
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Master Direction concerning penal provisions for reporting currency chest (CC) transactions. This policy aims to ensure timely and accurate reporting of currency chest transactions to maintain the objectives of the Clean Note Policy. Key provisions include penalties for delayed reporting, wrong reporting, and inclusion of ineligible amounts in currency chest balances. The target audience is all banks having currency chests. The expected outcome is improved discipline in reporting, leading to more accurate currency management.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the RBI's Master Direction on Penal Provisions in reporting of transactions and balances at Currency Chests, based solely on the provided text. The purpose is to inform affected parties about the policy's key components, rationale, and implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* The provided text suggests this is a *new* Master Direction that incorporates updated guidelines and circulars on the subject.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objectives are:
* To ensure timely and accurate reporting of currency chest transactions.
* To support the objectives of the Clean Note Policy.
* To inculcate discipline among banks for prompt and correct reporting.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **Likely Problem/Issue Addressed:** The policy addresses the issue of inaccurate and/or delayed reporting of currency chest transactions by banks. This can lead to disruptions in currency management, potential financial discrepancies, and undermining the Clean Note Policy. The penalties and clear guidelines aim to rectify these issues.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* **Reporting Procedure:** The minimum amount for deposit into or withdrawal from a currency chest is ₹1,00,000 and thereafter in multiples of ₹50,000.
* **Time Limit for Reporting:** All currency chest transactions must be reported through the CyMCC portal on the same day by 7 pm.
* **Reporting on Sundays/Holidays:** If the CyMCC portal is available on a local holiday, transactions must be reported the same day. If unavailable (e.g., global holiday), a consolidated report must be emailed to the RBI Issue Office by 7 pm, with CyM reporting on the next working day.
* **Penal Interest for Delayed Reporting:** Penal interest will be levied on the amount due for the period of delay for transactions not reported on the same business day within the prescribed time limit. The calculation is done on a T0 basis.
* **Penal Interest for Wrong Reporting:** Penal interest will be levied until the receipt of corrected advice by the Reserve Bank. Particular care must be taken to avoid reporting remittances of fresh reissuable notes as 'deposit' transactions.
* **Penal Interest for Inclusion of Ineligible Amounts:** Penal interest is applied when ineligible amounts (e.g., cash not freely available to joint custodians or not stored securely) are included in chest balances.
* **Penalty for Soiled Note Reporting:** A penalty of ₹50,000 will be levied for wrongly reporting soiled note remittances to RBI as withdrawals.
* **Penalty for Diversion Reporting:** A penalty of ₹50,000 will be levied if diversions are not correctly reported through the Diversion Module of CyMCC Portal, and instead reported as deposit withdrawal.
* **Penalty for Delayed Reporting of Net Deposits:** A flat penalty of ₹50,000 will be levied for delayed reporting, even when the currency chest has reported a net deposit.
* **Rate of Penal Interest:** Penal interest will be levied at a rate of 2% over the prevailing Bank Rate.
* **Business Continuity Plan:** Banks are advised to use CyMCC portal functionality for switching users in case of connectivity or technical issues and include this in their CC Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
* **Operational Guidelines:** The Officer-in-Charge of the Issue Department of the Regional Office is the Competent Authority for deciding on irregularities and levying penalties. Representations can be made to the Regional Director/Chief General Manager/Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Office through the Head/Controlling office of the bank within a month from the date of debit. Penalty/penal interest waiver request shall be considered only if the application is made in the CyMCC portal within the prescribed timelines.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience is all banks having currency chests. Stakeholders include the Reserve Bank of India (specifically the Department of Currency Management and Issue Offices) and potentially the general public, as the policy indirectly impacts the availability of clean currency.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Reserve Bank of India (specifically the Department of Currency Management and Issue Offices) is responsible for implementing and enforcing this policy. The Officer-in-Charge of the Issue Department of the Regional Office is the Competent Authority.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** Currency chests must report transactions by 7 pm on the same day. Banks have one month from the date of debit to appeal penalties, using the CyMCC portal.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of this policy are:
* Increased compliance with reporting deadlines and accuracy requirements.
* Reduction in delayed and incorrect reporting of currency chest transactions.
* Improved management and integrity of currency chest balances.
* Strengthening the Clean Note Policy by ensuring a more reliable and transparent currency management system.
* Better business continuity planning by banks, with regard to currency chest operations.
**9. Conclusion:**
The RBI's Master Direction on Penal Provisions in reporting of transactions balances at Currency Chests is a significant policy designed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of currency chest reporting. By establishing clear guidelines and levying penalties for non-compliance, the RBI aims to enhance currency management and maintain the integrity of the financial system. Banks with currency chests must understand and adhere to these provisions to avoid penalties and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Clean Note Policy.
Key Entities Referenced
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA: The central bank of India, the issuer of the policy document.
RBI: Abbreviation for Reserve Bank of India.
RBIDCM202425114: Reference number for the circular
DCM CC No.G203.35.01202425: Document Control Management Currency Chest Number.
April 01, 2024: Date of the notification.
All banks having Currency Chests: Addressees of the notification.
Master Direction on Penal Provisions in reporting of transactions balances at Currency Chests: Subject of the communication: Guidelines for penal provisions related to reporting transactions at currency chests.
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934: The Act under which the Reserve Bank of India operates; mentioned as 'RBI Act'.
RBI Act: Abbreviation for Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949: Another act providing the legal basis for the guidelines.
Clean Note Policy: RBI's policy objective related to currency management.
Sanjeev Prakash: Chief General Manager who signed the letter.
DEPARTMENT OF CURRENCY MANAGEMENT, CENTRAL OFFICE, AMAR BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, SIR P M ROAD, MUMBAI 400001: Address of the Department of Currency Management of RBI.
CyMCC portal: The online portal through which currency chest transactions are to be reported.
Issue Office of RBI: The specific RBI office that currency chests report to.
Currency Chest CC: Abbreviation for Currency Chest.
CRR: Cash Reserve Ratio
SLR: Statutory Liquidity Ratio
Bank Rate: The rate at which penal interest is calculated.
Business Continuity Plan: A plan to maintain business functions during disruptions, specifically for currency chests.
BCP: Abbreviation for Business Continuity Plan
OfficerinCharge: The competent authority to decide on the nature of irregularity and levy penalty.
Regional Director Chief General Manager: Appellate Authority
बेटी बचाओ
बेटी पढ़ाओ
भारतीय �रज़व� ब�क
_____________RESERVE BANK OF INDIA______________
www.rbi.org.in
RBI/DCM/2024-25/114
DCM (CC) No.G-2/03.35.01/2024-25 April 01, 2024
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
(All banks having Currency Chests)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Master Direction on Penal Provisions in reporting of transactions / balances at
Currency Chests
In terms of the Preamble to and Section 45 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI
Act) and Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Reserve Bank of India issues
guidelines / instructions for realising the objectives of Clean Note Policy as part of
currency management. With a view to sustain these efforts and to ensure timely and
accurate reporting of currency chest transactions, instructions on the subject have been
issued from time to time.
2. The enclosed Master Direction incorporates updated guidelines / circulars on the
subject.
Yours faithfully,
(Sanjeev Prakash)
Chief General Manager
Encl : As above
मुद्रा प्रबंध िवभाग ,क�द्रीय काया�लय ,चौथी मंिजल, अमर भवन, सर पी .एम .रोड, मुंबई400001
DEPARTMENT OF CURRENCY MANAGEMENT, CENTRAL OFFICE, AMAR BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, SIR P M ROAD, MUMBAI - 400001
फोन TELEPHONE No. 22663000 / 22604000 फै � FAX NO. 22662442
ई-मेल E-mail : cgmincdcm@rbi.org.in
िह�ी आसान है, इसका प्रयोग बढ़ाइएAnnex
Master Direction on Penal Provisions in reporting of transactions / balances at
Currency Chests
1. Reporting Procedure
1.1 Reporting of Currency Chest (CC) Transactions
The minimum amount of deposit into / withdrawal from currency chest shall be ₹1,00,000/-
and thereafter, in multiples of ₹50,000/-.
1.2 Time Limit for Reporting
1.2.1 The currency chests shall invariably report all transactions through CyM-CC portal
on the same day by 7 pm.
1.2.2 Opening of Currency Chests on Sundays or Holidays – Reporting in CyM
In case CyM CC portal is available on the day a specific CC is permitted to operate (i.e.
on a local holiday), the CC shall report the transactions in CyM on the same day. In case
CyM-CC portal is not available on the said day (i.e. on a global holiday / 2nd or 4th
Saturdays of the month / Sunday), the CC shall report denomination-wise consolidated
deposit and/ or withdrawal amount and denomination-wise chest closing balance of the
day by 7 pm to the concerned Issue Office of RBI by e-mail and report day’s transactions
on CyM on the next working day.
1.2.3 Relaxation in Respect of Strike in Banks
Relaxation in the reporting period on account of strike situation shall be considered on
case-to-case basis.2. Delayed Reporting / Wrong Reporting of Currency Chest Transactions
2.1 Levy of Penal Interest
2.1.1 Delay in Reporting
In the event of delay in reporting currency chest transactions, penal interest at the rate
indicated in paragraph 4 of this circular shall be levied on the amount due from the chest
holding bank for the period of delay. Penal interest shall be calculated on T+0 basis i.e.
penal interest shall be levied in respect of transactions not reported by currency chests
to the Issue Office on the same business day within the time limit prescribed above.
2.1.2 Wrong Reporting
Penal interest shall be levied in respect of cases of wrong reporting in the same manner
till the date of receipt of corrected advice by Reserve Bank. As debits / credits to banks'
current accounts are raised on the basis of the transactions reported by the currency
chests, penal interest shall invariably be levied in all cases of wrong reporting by the
currency chests. It is expected that currency chests would ensure the correctness of
figures reported on the CyM-CC portal. Particular care shall be taken to ensure that
remittances of fresh / re-issuable notes sent to the currency chests from RBI / Note
Printing Presses are not reported as 'deposit' transactions.
2.1.3 Inclusion of Ineligible Amounts in the Currency Chest Balances
(i) Penal interest shall also be levied in all cases where the bank has enjoyed 'ineligible'
credit in its current account with Reserve Bank on account of wrong reporting / delayed
reporting of transactions.
(ii) Only cash held in the custody of joint custodians and 'freely available' to them is eligible
for inclusion in the chest balances. Thus, cash kept outside the vault / outside the
coverage of CCTV cameras / cash kept for safe custody in sealed covers for whatever
reasons / in trunks / under single lock / unlocked / in bins under the lock and key of any
official/s other than the Joint Custodians or bearing a third lock put by any official inaddition to the two locks of the Joint Custodians, is not eligible for being included in the
chest balances. If such amounts are included in the chest balances, these shall be treated
as instances of wrong reporting and shall attract penal interest at the rate specified in
paragraph 4.
(iii) In all the above cases (excepting shortages in chest balances / remittances, shortages
due to pilferage / frauds, counterfeit banknotes detected in chest balances / remittances),
penal interest shall be levied from the date of inclusion of 'ineligible' amounts in chest
balances till the exclusion of such amounts from chest balances.
2.1.4 Penal Measures for Other Deficiencies
Penal measures for shortages in chest balances / remittances, shortages due to pilferage
/ frauds, counterfeit banknotes detected in chest balances / remittances shall be taken on
the basis of the prevailing “Scheme of Penalties”.
3. Levy of Penalty
3.1 Reporting of Soiled Note Remittances to RBI
Soiled note remittances to RBI shall not be shown as withdrawal by chest(s). In case such
remittances to RBI are wrongly reported as 'withdrawals', a penalty of ₹50,000/- shall be
levied irrespective of the value of remittance and period of such wrong reporting.
3.2 Reporting of Diversions in CyM-CC Portal
All currency chest diversions (both between chests of the same bank and between chests
of different banks) have to be reported through ‘Diversion Module’ of CyM-CC Portal. The
CC sending the diversion should initiate the entry. The receiving CC should acknowledge
the same. Diversions should not be reported as deposit / withdrawal. A penalty of
₹50,000/- shall be levied for any such wrong reporting.3.3 Delayed reporting where currency chests had “Net Deposit”
Penal interest at the prevailing rate for delayed reporting of the instances where the
currency chest had reported “net deposit” shall not be charged. However, in order to
ensure proper discipline in reporting currency chest transactions, a flat penalty of
₹50,000/- shall be levied on the currency chests for delayed reporting, irrespective of the
value of net deposit.
4. Rate of Penal Interest
Penal interest shall be levied at the rate of 2% over the prevailing Bank Rate for the period
of delayed reporting / wrong reporting / inclusion of ineligible amounts in chest balances.
5. Business Continuity Plan
The CyM-CC portal has the capability for switching / interchanging the user within a bank
across the country (user manual is attached for ready reference). If a CC is unable to
report daily transactions in CyM Portal due to connectivity or other technical issues in that
particular CC, the Back Office (BO) Administrator of the bank can map the user-id of
another CC of that bank to the CC having connectivity issues for reporting of daily
transactions. On completion of the transactions the user rights shall be restored to the
original CC. This functionality would help CCs in avoiding delayed reporting and
consequent punitive action. CC holding banks are advised to include this aspect in their
CC Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
6. Operational Guidelines on Levy of Penalties / Penal Interest
6.1 Competent Authority
The Competent Authority to decide on the nature of irregularity and levy penalty
thereof shall be the Officer-in-Charge of the Issue Department of the Regional Office
under whose jurisdiction the defaulting currency chest is located.6.2 Appellate Authority
6.2.1 Given the business continuity capability provided by the CyM (see paragraph 5
above), there should ordinarily be no occasion for banks to request for reconsideration of
the Reserve Bank's decision. However, representations, if any, on account of genuine
difficulties faced by currency chests especially in hilly / remote areas and those affected
by natural calamities, etc., may be made to the Regional Director / Chief General Manager
/ Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Office concerned through the Head / Controlling office
of the bank within a month from the date of debit.
6.2.2 Any penalty / penal interest waiver request shall be considered, only if the
application for the same is made in the CyM-CC portal within the prescribed timelines.
Waiver request in any other mode shall not be considered.
6.2.3 In the case of wrong reporting, representation for waiver shall not be considered.
{cf. para 2.1.2 above}.
6.2.4 As the intention behind the levy of penal interest / penalty is to inculcate discipline
among banks so as to ensure prompt / correct reporting, requests by banks for waiver of
penal interest on grounds that delayed / wrong reporting did not result in utilisation of the
Reserve Bank's funds or shortfall in the maintenance of CRR / SLR or that they were the
result of clerical mistakes, unintentional or arithmetical errors, first time error,
inexperience of staff, expiry of digital certificate, etc., shall not be considered as valid
grounds for waiver of penal interest.
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