RBI FAQ on Forex Facilities for Residents (Individuals)

Introduction:

The legal framework for administration of foreign exchange transactions in India is provided by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Under the Act, freedom has been granted for buying and selling of foreign exchange for undertaking current account transactions. The Government has issued Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules,2000 which have been notified vide Notifications GSR. 381(E) dated May 3, 2000, S.O. 301(E) dated March 30, 2001 and GSR.608(E) dated September 13, 2004 as amended from time to time. The last amendment to the G.S.R is vide Notification No., G.S.R. No.412 (E) dated July 11, 2006.

Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) [which replaced FERA], which has come into force with effect from June 1, 2000, all transactions involving foreign exchange have been classified either as Capital or Current Account transactions. All transactions undertaken by a resident that do not alter his assets or liabilities outside India are current account transactions. In terms of Section 5 of the FEMA, persons resident in India are free to buy or sell foreign exchange for any current account transaction except for those transactions for which drawal of foreign exchange has been prohibited by Central Government, vide its Notification referred to above. A copy of the Notification is available in the Official Gazette as well as an annexure to our Master Circular on Miscellaneous Remittances available at our website www.mastercirculars.rbi.org.in.

These details are available on the Reserve Bank’s website as well as with the authorised dealers and regional offices of the Foreign Exchange Department of Reserve Bank. This FAQ attempts to answer all such questions in simple language.

I. Guidelines on Travel Related Matters

1. Who is a resident?

A 'person resident in India' is defined in Section 2(v) of FEMA, 1999 as:

A person residing in India for more than one hundred and eighty-two days during the course of the preceding financial year but does not include –

(A) a person who has gone out of India or who stays outside India, in either case -

for or on taking up employment outside India, or

for carrying on outside India a business or vocation outside India, or

for any other purpose, in such circumstances as would indicate his intention to stay outside India for an uncertain period;

(B) a person who has come to or stays in India, in either case, otherwise than –

for or on taking up employment in India, or

for carrying on in India a business or vocation in India, or

for any other purpose, in such circumstances as would indicate his intention to stay in India for an uncertain period;

any person or body corporate registered or incorporated in India,

an office, branch or agency in India owned or controlled by a person resident outside India,

an office, branch or agency outside India owned or controlled by a person resident in India;

That is to qualify as a resident the person concerned will have to fulfill the criterion regarding (a) the duration of stay and (b) the purpose of stay.

The term Person Resident Outside India is defined in the Act as a person who is not a person resident in India.

2. From where one can buy foreign exchange?

Foreign exchange can be purchased from any authorised dealer. Besides authorised dealers, full-fledged money changers are also permitted to release exchange for business and private visits.

3. Who is an authorized dealer?

An authorized dealer is normally a bank specifically authorized by the Reserve Bank under Section 10(1) of FEMA,1999, to deal in foreign exchange or foreign securities (List available on www.fedai.org.in ).

4. How much exchange is available for a business trip?

Authorized dealers can release foreign exchange up to USD 25,000 for a business trip to any country other than Nepal and Bhutan. Release of foreign exchange exceeding USD 25,000 for a travel abroad (other than Nepal and Bhutan) for business purposes, irrespective of period of stay, requires prior permission from Reserve Bank. Visits in connection with attending of an international conference, seminar, specialised training, study tour, apprentice training, etc., are treated as business visits.

Incidentally, no release of foreign exchange is admissible for any kind of travel to Nepal and Bhutan or for any transaction with persons resident in Nepal and Bhutan.

5. Can one obtain additional foreign exchange for medical treatment outside India?

Authorized dealers may release foreign exchange upto USD 100,000 or its equivalent to resident Indians for medical treatment abroad on self declaration basis of essential details, without insisting on any estimate from a hospital/doctor in India/abroad. A person visiting abroad for medical treatment can obtain foreign exchange exceeding the above limit, provided the request is supported by an estimate from a hospital/doctor in India/abroad. This release of foreign exchange of USD 100,000 is to meet the expenses involved in treatment and it is in addition to the amount of USD 25,000 released for maintenance expenses of a patient going abroad for medical treatment or check-up abroad, or for accompanying as attendant to a patient going abroad for medical treatment/check-up.

6. How much exchange is available for studies outside India?

Authorized dealers may release foreign exchange for an amount of USD 100,000 per academic year or the estimate received from the institution abroad, whichever is higher. Students going abroad for studies are treated as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and are eligible for all the facilities available to NRIs under FEMA. In addition, they can receive remittances up to USD 100,000 from close relatives (as defined in Section 6 of the Companies Act,1956) from India on self-declaration, towards maintenance, which could include remittances towards their studies also. Educational and other loans availed of by students as resident in India can be allowed to continue. There is no dilution in the existing remittance facilities to students in regard to their academic pursuits.

7. How much foreign exchange can one buy when traveling abroad on private visits to a country outside India?

In connection with private visits abroad, viz., for tourism purposes, etc., foreign exchange up to USD10,000, in any one financial year may be obtained from an authorised dealer on a self-declaration basis. The ceiling of USD10,000 is applicable in aggregate and foreign exchange may be obtained for one or more than one visit provided the aggregate foreign exchange availed of in one financial year does not exceed the prescribed ceiling of USD10,000 {The facility was earlier called B.T.Q or F.T.S.}. This limit of USD10,000 per financial year can be availed of by a person along with foreign exchange for travel abroad for any purpose, including for employment or immigration or studies. However, no foreign exchange is available for visit to Nepal and/or Bhutan for any purpose.

8. How much foreign exchange is available to a person going abroad on employment?

Person going abroad for employment can draw foreign exchange up-to USD100,000 from any authorised dealer in India on the basis of self-declaration.

9. How much foreign exchange is available to a person going abroad on emigration?

Person going abroad on emigration can draw foreign exchange upto USD100,000 on self- declaration basis from an authorized dealer in India. This amount is only to meet the incidental expenses in the country of emigration. No amount of foreign exchange can be remitted outside India to become eligible or for earning points or credits for immigration. All such remittances require prior permission of the Reserve Bank.

10. Is there any category of visit which requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank or Govt. of India?

In case of dance troupes, artistes, etc., who wish to undertake cultural tours abroad, they should obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, New Delhi.

11. How much foreign exchange can be purchased in foreign currency notes while buying exchange for travel abroad?

Travellers are allowed to purchase foreign currency notes/coins only up to USD 2000. Balance amount can be taken in the form of travellers cheque or banker’s draft. Exceptions to this are (a) travellers proceeding to Iraq and Libya can draw foreign exchange in the form of foreign currency notes and coins not exceeding USD 5000 or its equivalent; (b) travellers proceeding to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation and other Republics of Commonwealth of Independent States can draw entire foreign exchange in the form of foreign currency notes or coins.

12. Do same Rules apply to persons going for studies abroad?

For the purpose of studies abroad, exchange for maintenance expenses is released in the form of (i) currency notes up to USD 2,000, (ii) the balance foreign exchange may be taken in the form of travellers cheques or bank draft payable overseas.

13. How much in advance one can buy foreign exchange for travel abroad?

The foreign exchange acquired for any purpose has to be used within 180 days of purchase. In case it is not possible to use the foreign exchange within the period of 180 days, it should be surrendered to an authorised person.

14. Can one pay by cash full rupee equivalent of foreign exchange being purchased for travel abroad ?

Foreign exchange for travel abroad can be purchased from authorized person against rupee payment in cash up to Rs.50,000/-. However, if the rupee equivalent exceeds Rs.50,000/-, the entire payment should be made by way of a crossed cheque/banker’s cheque/pay order/demand draft only.

15. Is there any time frame for a traveller who has returned to India to surrender foreign exchange?

On return from a foreign trip, travellers are required to surrender unspent foreign exchange held in the form of currency notes and travellers cheques within 180 days of return. However, they are free to retain foreign exchange upto USD 2,000, in the form of foreign currency notes or TCs for future use or credit to their RFC(Domestic) Accounts without any limit.

16. On return to India can one retain foreign exchange?

Residents have the choice of either holding foreign currency up to USD 2,000 or its equivalent or credit the amount to their RFC(Domestic) Accounts provided the foreign exchange was acquired by them:-

a. while on a visit abroad as payment for services not arising from any business in or anything done in India; or

b. as honorarium or gift or for services rendered or in settlement of any lawful obligation from any person who is not resident in India and who is on a visit to India; or

c. as honorarium or gift while on a visit to any place outside India; or

d. from an authorised person for travel abroad and represents the unspent amount thereof.

17. Is one required to surrender foreign coins also to an authorised dealer?

The residents can hold foreign coins without any limit.

18. How much foreign exchange can a resident individual send as gift / donation to a person resident outside India?

Limit of USD 200,000 per financial year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme would also include remittances towards gift and donation by a resident individual. Accordingly, under the Scheme, any resident individual, if he so desires, may remit the entire limit of USD 200,000 in one financial year as gift to a person residing outside India or as donation to a charitable/educational/ religious/cultural organization outside India. Remittances exceeding the limit will require prior permission from the Reserve Bank.

19. How much foreign exchange can residents other than individuals send as gift / donation to a person resident outside India?

ADs have been permitted to make remittances on account of donations by corporates for some specified purposes subject to a limit of one per cent of the foreign exchange earnings during the previous three financial years or USD 5 million, whichever is less. Other residents like partnership firms, trusts etc., are free to remit up to USD 5000 per annum per donor/remitter each as gift and donation. Remittances exceeding the limit will require prior permission from the Reserve Bank.

20. Is one permitted to use International Credit Card (ICC) for undertaking foreign exchange transactions?

Use of the International Credit Cards (ICCs) / ATMs/ Debit Cards can be made for making personal payments like subscription to foreign journals, internet subscription, etc., and for travel abroad in connection with various purposes. The entitlement of foreign exchange on International Credit Cards (ICCs) is limited by the credit limit fixed by the card issuing authority only. With ICCs one can (i) meet expenses/make purchases while abroad (ii) make payments in foreign exchange for purchase of books and other items through internet in India. If the person has a foreign currency account in India or with a bank overseas, he/she can even obtain ICCs of overseas banks and reputed agencies.

Use of these instruments for payment in foreign exchange in Nepal and Bhutan is not permitted.

21. While coming into India how much Indian currency can be brought in?

A person coming into India from abroad can bring in with him Indian currency notes within the limits given below:

a. up to Rs. 5,000 from any country other than Nepal or Bhutan, and

b. any amount in denomination not exceeding Rs.100 from Nepal or Bhutan.

22. While going abroad how much foreign exchange, in cash, can a person carry?

A person is allowed to carry foreign exchange in the form of currency notes/coins up to USD 2,000 or its equivalent only. Balance amount as applicable can be carried in the form of travellers cheque or banker/s draft. (In this connection please see item No.11).

23. While going abroad how much Indian currency, in cash, can a person carry?

Residents are free to take outside India (other than to Nepal and Bhutan) currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs. 5,000/ - per person. They may take or send outside India (other than to Nepal and Bhutan) commemorative coins not exceeding two coins each.

Explanation : 'Commemorative Coin' includes coin issued by Government of India Mint to commemorate any specific occasion or event and expressed in Indian currency.

A person can take or send out of India to Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes (other than notes of denominations of above Rs. 100);

24. While coming into India how much foreign exchange can be brought in?

A person coming into India from abroad can bring with him foreign exchange without any limit. However, if the aggregate value of the foreign exchange in the form of currency notes, bank notes or travellers cheques brought in exceeds USD 10,000/- or its equivalent and/or the value of foreign currency exceeds USD 5,000/- or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs Authorities at the Airport in the Currency Declaration Form (CDF), on arrival in India.

25. Is one required to follow complete export procedure when a gift parcel is sent outside India?

A person resident in India is free to send (export) any gift article of value not exceeding Rs. 5,00,000 provided export of that item is not prohibited under the extant Foreign Trade Policy and exporter submits a declaration that goods of gift are not more than Rs. 5,00,000 in value.

26. How much jewellery one can carry while going abroad?

Taking personal jewellery out of India is governed by Baggage Rules framed under Foreign Trade Policy by the Government of India. No approval of Reserve Bank is required in this case.

27. Can a resident extend local hospitality to a non-resident?

A person resident in India is free to make any payment in Indian Rupees towards meeting expenses on account of boarding, lodging and services related thereto or travel to and from and within India of a person resident outside India who is on a visit to India.

28. Can residents purchase air tickets in India for their travel not touching India?

Residents may book their tickets in India for their visit to any third country. That is, residents can book their tickets for travel, for instance from London to New York, through domestic/foreign airlines in India itself.

29. Can a resident open a foreign currency denominated account in India?

Persons resident in India are permitted to maintain foreign currency accounts in India under the following three Schemes:

a. Exchange Earners Foreign Currency Accounts:-

All categories of resident foreign exchange earners can credit up to 100 per cent of their foreign exchange earnings, as specified in the paragraph 1 (A) of the Schedule to Notification No.FEMA.10/2000-RB dated 3rd May, 2000 and as amended from time to time, to their EEFC Account with an authorised dealer in India. Funds held in EEFC account can be utilised for all permissible current account transactions and also for approved capital account transactions as specified by the extant Rules/Regulations/ Notifications/ Directives issued by the Government/RBI from time to time. EEFC account holders can now maintain outstanding balances to the extent of USD 1 million in the form of term deposits up to one year maturing on or before 31st October 2008. The rate of interest will be determined by the banks themselves.

b. Resident Foreign Currency Accounts:-

Returning Indians, i.e., those Indians, who were non-residents earlier, and are returning now for permanent stay in India, are permitted to open, hold and maintain with an authorised dealer in India a Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) Account to keep their foreign currency assets. Assets held outside India at the time of return can be credited to such accounts. The foreign exchange (i) received or acquired as gift or inheritance from a person referred to sub-section (4) of section 6 of FEMA,1999 or (ii) referred to in clause (c) of section 9 of the Act or acquired as gift or inheritance therefrom or (iii) received as the proceeds of life insurance policy claims/maturity/ surrender values settled in foreign currency from an insurance company in India permitted to undertake life insurance business by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority may also be credited to this account.

The funds in RFC account are free from all restrictions regarding utilisation of foreign currency balances including any restriction on investment outside India.

c. Resident Foreign Currency (Domestic) Account:-

A person resident in India can open, hold and maintain with an authorized dealer in India, a Resident Foreign Currency (Domestic) Account, out of foreign exchange acquired in the form of currency notes, Bank notes and travellers cheques from any of the sources like, payment for services rendered abroad, as honorarium, gift, services rendered or in settlement of any lawful obligation from any person not resident in India. The account may also be credited with/opened out of foreign exchange earned like proceeds of export of goods and/or services, royalty, honorarium, etc., and/or gifts received from close relatives (as defined in the Companies Act) and repatriated to India through normal banking channels. The account shall be maintained in the form of Current Account and shall not bear any interest. There is no ceiling on the balances in the account.

30. Can a person resident in India hold assets outside India?

In terms of sub-section 4, of Section (6) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, a person resident in India is free to hold, own, transfer or invest in foreign currency, foreign security or any immovable property situated outside India if such currency, security or property was acquired, held or owned by such person when he was resident outside India or inherited from a person who was resident outside India. (Please also refer to the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of USD 200,000 discussed below).

II. Liberalised Remittance Scheme of USD 200,000.

31. What is the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of USD 200,000?

This is a facility extended to all resident individuals under which, they may freely remit upto USD 200,000 per financial year for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.

32. What are the purpose/s for which remittance can be made under the Scheme?

This facility is available for making remittance/s for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. It is not available for purposes specifically prohibited (Schedule I) or regulated by the Government of India (Schedule II) of Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000.

33. Who is eligible to avail of this Liberalised Remittance Facility?

The facility is available to resident individuals only.

34. Provide an illustrative list of capital account transactions permitted under the scheme?

The remittance under the Scheme is available to the resident individuals for any permitted current or capital account transactions or a combination of both. Under the Scheme, resident individuals can acquire and hold immovable property or shares or debt instruments or any other assets outside India, without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. Individuals can also open, maintain and hold foreign currency accounts with banks outside India. However, it is clarified that remittance from India for margins or margin calls to overseas exchanges / overseas counterparty are not allowed under the Scheme.

The remittance facility under the Scheme is also not available for the following:

i) Remittance for any purpose specifically prohibited under Schedule-I (like purchase of lottery/sweep stakes, tickets, proscribed magazines, etc.) or any item restricted under Schedule II of Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000.
ii) Remittances made directly or indirectly to Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius or Pakistan.
iii) Remittances made directly or indirectly to countries identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as “non co-operative countries and territories” from time to time.
iv) Remittances directly or indirectly to those individuals and entities identified as posing significant risk of committing acts of terrorism as advised separately by the Reserve Bank to the banks.

35. Whether this facility is in addition to existing facilities detailed in Schedule III under remittances?

The facility under the Scheme is in addition to those already available for private travel, business travel, studies, medical treatment, etc., as described in Schedule III of Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000. The Scheme can also be used for these purposes. However, gift and donation remittances cannot be made separately and have to be made under the Scheme only. Accordingly, resident individuals can remit gifts and donations up to USD 200,000 per financial year under the Scheme.

36. Whether resident individuals under this Scheme have to repatriate the accrued yield on deposits/investments abroad, over and above the principal amount?

The investor can retain and reinvest the income earned on investments made under the Scheme. Currently, the residents are not required to repatriate the funds or income generated out of investments made under the Scheme.

37. Whether remittance under the Scheme is on gross basis or net basis (net of repatriation from abroad)?

Remittance under this scheme is on a gross basis.

38. Whether minors can also avail of the remittance facility?

The facility is available to all the resident individuals including minors.

39. Whether remittances under the facility can be consolidated in respect of family members?

Remittances under the facility can be consolidated in respect of family members subject to the individual family members complying with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

40. Whether the Scheme can be used for purchase of objects of art (paintings, etc.,) either directly or through auction house?

Remittances under the Scheme can be used for purchasing objects of art subject to the provisions of other applicable laws such as the extant Foreign Trade Policy of the Government of India.

41. Whether small value remittance of USD 5000/- (gifts, donation, etc.,) is in addition to LRS of USD 200,000?

Remittance against gifts and donations cannot be made separately and have to be made under the Scheme only and therefore, no separate limits for gift and donation are available

42. Whether the AD is required to check permissibility of remittances based on nature of transaction or allow the same based on remitters declaration?

AD will be guided by the nature of transaction as declared by the remitter and will certify that the remittance is in conformity with the instructions issued by Reserve Bank.

43.Whether under this scheme a customer can remit funds for acquisition of ESOPs?

The Scheme can also be used for remittance of funds for acquisition of ESOPs.

44. Whether the scheme is in addition to acquisition of ESOPs linked to ADR/GDR (i.e USD 50,000/- for a block of 5 calendar years)?

The remittance under the Scheme is in addition to acquisition of ESOPs linked to ADR/GDR.

45. Whether the Scheme is in addition to acquisition of qualification shares (i.e USD 20,000/- or 1% of paid up capital of overseas company whichever is lower)?

The remittance under the Scheme is in addition to acquisition of qualification shares.

46. Whether a resident individual can invest in units of Mutual Funds, Venture Funds, unrated debt securities, promissory notes, etc., under this scheme?

A resident individual can invest in units of Mutual Funds, Venture Funds, unrated debt securities, promissory notes, etc under this Scheme. Further, the resident can invest in such securities out of the bank account opened abroad under the Scheme.

47. Whether an individual, who has availed of a loan abroad while a non-resident can repay the same on return to India, under this Scheme as a resident?

This is permissible.

48. Whether it is mandatory for resident individuals to have PAN number for sending outward remittances under the Scheme?

It is mandatory to have PAN number to make remittances under the Scheme.

49. In case a resident individual requests for an outward remittance by way of issuance of a demand draft (either in his own name or in the name of the beneficiary with whom he intends putting through the permissible transactions) at the time of his private visit abroad, whether against self declaration of the remitter such an outward remittance can be effected?

Such outward remittance in the form of a DD can be effected against the declaration by the resident individual in the format prescribed under the Scheme.

50. Is there any frequency for the remittance?

There is no restriction on the frequency. However, the total amount of foreign exchange purchased from or remitted through, all sources in India during a financial year should be within the limit of USD 200,000/-.

51. Can residents avail of this facility for acquiring immovable property and other assets abroad?

Yes. Individuals are free to use this Scheme to acquire and hold immovable property, shares or any other asset outside India without prior approval of Reserve Bank.

52. Can individuals open foreign currency account abroad for making remittance under the Scheme?

Yes. Individuals are free to open, hold and maintain foreign currency accounts with a bank outside India for making remittances under the Scheme without the prior approval of Reserve Bank. The account can be used for putting through any transaction connected with or arising from remittances under the Scheme.

53. What are the requirements to be complied with by the remitter?

The individual will have to designate a branch of an AD through which all the remittances under the Scheme will be made.The applicants should have maintained the bank account with the bank for a minimum period of one year prior to the remittance. If the applicant seeking to make the remittance is a new customer of the bank, Authorised Dealers should carry out due diligence on the opening, operation and maintenance of the account. Further the AD should obtain bank statement for the previous year from the applicant to satisfy themselves regarding the source of funds. If such a bank statement is not available, copies of the latest Income Tax Assessment Order or Return filed by the applicant may be obtained. He has to furnish an application-cum-declaration in the specified format regarding the purpose of the remittance and declare that the funds belong to him and will not be used for purposes prohibited or regulated under the Scheme.

54. Can an individual, who has repatriated the amount remitted during the financial year, avail of the facility once again?

Once a remittance is made for an amount upto USD 200,000 during the financial year, he would not be eligible to make any further remittances under this route, even if the proceeds of the investments have been brought back into the country.

55. Can remittances be made only in US Dollars?

The remittances can be made in any currency equivalent to USD 200,000 in a financial year.

56. In the past resident individuals could invest in overseas companies listed on a recognised stock exchange abroad and which has the shareholding of at least 10 per cent in an Indian company listed on a recognised stock exchange in India. Does this condition still exist?

Investment by resident individual in overseas companies is subsumed under the Scheme of USD 200,000. The requirement of 10 per cent reciprocal shareholding in the listed Indian companies by such overseas companies has since been dispensed with.

III. Guidelines for Financial Intermediaries offering special schemes, protection under the Scheme.

57. Are intermediaries expected to seek specific approval for making overseas investments available to clients?

Banks including those not having operational presence in India are required to obtain prior approval from Reserve Bank for soliciting deposits for their foreign/overseas branches or for acting as agents for overseas mutual funds or any other foreign financial services company.

58. Are there any restrictions on the kind/quality of debt or equity instruments an individual can invest in?

No ratings or guidelines have been prescribed under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of USD 200,000 on the quality of the investment an individual can make. However, the individual investor is expected to exercise due diligence while taking a decision regarding the investments which he or she proposes to make.

59. Whether credit facilities in Indian Rupees or foreign currency would be permissible against security of such deposits?

No. The Scheme does not envisage extension of credit facility against the security of the deposits.

60. Can bankers open foreign currency accounts in India for residents under the Scheme?

No. Banks in India cannot open foreign currency accounts in India for residents under the Scheme.

61. Can an Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) in India be treated on par with a branch of the bank outside India for the purpose of opening of foreign currency accounts by residents under the Scheme?

No. For the purpose of the Scheme, an OBU in India is not treated as an overseas branch of a bank in India.

General Information

For further details/guidance, please approach any bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange or contact Regional Offices of the Foreign Exchange Department of the Reserve Bank.

Save Energy with Eco-Friendly search engine

Andrew Davey, a 13-year-old who lives in Knaphill, Surrey, UK has created a search engine website that can help people save energy. Andrew got the idea from a Mark Ontkush, who concluded that an all-white web page uses 74 watts of energy compared to 59W from an all-black webpage. Therefore changing from using a white web page to a black one would save up to 15W every time it’s displayed.

Andrew has created EcoSmartSearch, a search engine powered by Google, but displays results pages in black rather than in white. Here are some numbers, as quoted from Andrew’s search engine website:

"Take at look at Google, who gets about 200 million queries a day. Let’s assume each query is displayed for about 10 seconds; that means Google is running for about 550,000 hours every day on some desktop. Assuming that users run Google in full screen mode, the shift to a black background will save a total of 15 (74-59) watts. That turns into a global savings of 8.3 Megawatt-hours per day, or about 3000 Megawatt-hours a year. Now take into account that about 25 percent of the are CRTs, and at 10 cents a kilowatt-hour, that’s $75,000, a goodly amount of energy and dollars for changing a few colour code"

Adhoc promotion in post of Dy FA/CoFA

Google Gdrive: Is the 'PC killer' arriving?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Search giant Google is reportedly all set to make another giant leap in the world computer, with its plan to launch this year the long-rumoured and the most anticipated GDrive storage-in-the-cloud service.

According to industry reports, the company is about to launch 'GDrive', which would allow people to store almost all their data on the Internet and access it from wherever they are.

"Throw your hard drive away, Google's Gdrive is arriving in 2009," said TG Daily, an American technology news website.

According to it, when Google Drive, or Gdrive, arrives, it will likely cause a major paradigm shift in how we use computers and bring Google one step closer to dethroning Windows on your desktop.

The service has the potential to eclipse even Gmail, Google's second best-known product after their google.com search engine, it added.

Gdrive is basically a cloud-based storage that should have two faces: A desktop client that keeps local and online files and folders in two-directional sync via a web interface for accessing your desktop files anywhere and anytime, using any network-enabled computer.

In addition, it will come tightly integrated with other Google services to enable editing of supported document types, like spreadsheets and presentations via Google Docs, email via Gmail, images via Picasa Web Albums, etc, said TG Daily.

The GDrive would enable users to access and update all their information such as emails, photographs, music, documents and spreadsheets from any device with an Internet connection.

This move on Google said to be a part of its 'cloud computing' initiatives, in which the web rather than the hard drive is used as the place where information is stored.

Actually the first rumour about Gdrive was broke way back in 2006 March, when it described about the product in a Google's Analyst Day Power Point presentation.

"With infinite storage, we can house all user files, including: emails, web history, pictures, bookmarks, etc and make it accessible from anywhere (any device, any platform, etc). We already have efforts in this direction in terms of GDrive, GDS, Lighthouse, but all of them face bandwidth and storage constraints today," it said.

However, Google had removed this presentation from its website and was silent about it. Now the rumour has got stronger once again. According to Britain's Observer newspaper, G-Drive has the capacity to kill off the desktop computer.

With the GDrive, a PC would be a device acting as a portal to the Web, enabling users to think of their computer as software rather than hardware, it said.

However, Google is still silent about the GDrive launch was imminent. "We don't comment on speculation, and we don't pre-announce product launches," said a Google spokesperson.

But what do you feel? Can the mysterious drive make the PC redundant?
©CyberMedia News

Proposed modifications by CSIR regarding DPC of Finance Cadre

Regularity Audit (Compliance)

• Audit against provision of funds to ascertain whether the moneys shown as expenditure in the Accounts were authorised for the purpose for which they were spent.
• Audit against rules and regulation to see that the expenditure incurred was in conformity with the laws, rules and regulations framed to regulate the procedure for expending public money.
  
• Audit of sanctions to expenditure to see that every item of expenditure was done with the approval of the competent authority in the Government for expending the public money.
• Propriety Audit which extends beyond scrutinising the mere formality of expenditure to it wisdom and economy and to bring to light cases of improper expenditure or waste of public money.
• While conducting the audit of receipts of the Central and State Governments, the Comptroller & Auditor General satisfies himself that the rules and procedures ensure that assessment, collection and allocation of revenue are done in accordance with the law and there is no leakage of revenue which legally should come to Government.

Interest bearing advances/Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendation on House Building Advance-regarding.

House Building Advance to Central Government Employees

1.The Scheme of House Building Advance to Central Government Employees is aimed at providing assistance to the Government employees to construct/acquire house/flats of their own. The scheme was introduced in 1956, as a welfare measure. Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation act as the nodal Ministry for the same.

2. House Building Advance is admissible to all those temporary employees also who have rendered 10 years of continuous service. The Ministries/Departments are delegated powers to sanction House Building Advance to their employees in accordance with the House Building Advance Rules.

3.With effect from 27-11-2008, the following provisions of grant of House Building Advance shall be in operation, until further orders:-

(i).The maximum limit for grant of HBA shall be 34 months' of pay in the pay band subject to a maximum of Rs. 7.50 lakh or cost of the house or the repaying capacity whichever is the least, for new construction/purchase of new house/flat.

(ii).The maximum limit for grant of HBA for enlargement of existing house shall be 34 months' pay in the pay band subject to a maximum of Rs. 1.80 lakh or cost of the enlargement or repaying capacity, whichever is the least.

(iii).The cost ceiling limit shall be 134 times the pay in the pay band subject to a minimum of Rs.7.50 lakh and a maximum of Rs.30 lakh relaxable up to a maximum of 25% of the revised maximum cost ceiling of Rs.30 lakh.

4. The rate of interest on House Building Advance is between 5% to 9.5% ,depending on the loan amount.

5. The repaying capacity of Govt. servants who have more than 20 years of remaining service has been revised from 35% to 40% of pay. (Pay means pay in the pay band).

6. The salient features of House Building Advance Rules are as follows-

1. ELIGIBILITY

• Permanent Government employees.
• Temporary Government employees who have rendered at least 10 years continuous service.
• To be granted once during the entire service.

If both the husband and wife are Government of India employees and eligible for HBA, it shall be admissible to only one of them.

2. PURPOSE

HBA is granted for:

1. Constructing a new house on the plot owned by the official or the Official and the Official's wife/husband jointly.
2. Purchasing a plot and constructing a house thereon.
3. Purchasing a plot under Co-operative Schemes and Constructing a house thereon or acquiring house through membership of Co-operative Group Housing Scheme.
4. Purchasing /construction of house under the Self-Financing scheme of Delhi, Bangalore, U.P., Lucknow etc.
5. Outright purchase of new ready-built house/flat Housing boards, Development Authorities and other statutory or semi-Government bodies and also from private parties.*
6. Enlarging living accommodation in an existing house owned by the official or jointly with his/her wife/husband. The total cost of the existing structure (excluding cost of land) and the proposed additions should not exceed the prescribed cost ceiling.
7. Repayment of loan or advance taken from a Government or HUDCO or Private source even if the construction has already Commenced, subject to certain conditions.
8. Constructing the residential portion only of the building on a Plot which is earmarked as a shop-cum-residential plot in a Residential colony.

* Private party means registered builders but not private individuals.

3. CONDITIONS:

a) The applicant or spouse or minor child should not already own a house in the town/Urban agglomeration where the house is proposed to be constructed or acquired.

b) The title to the land should be clear. The land may be owned either:

- by the Government employee; or

- jointly by the Government employee and spouse.

c) COST CEILING

134 times of pay in the pay band subject to a minimum of Rs. 7.50 lakh and a maximum of Rs.30 lakh

Administrative Ministry may relax the cost ceiling to 25% of cost ceiling mentioned above in the individual cases on merits.

(Effective from 27th November, 2008)

d) AMOUNT OF ADVANCE:

• will be the LEAST of the following:-

(i) 34 times the pay in the pay band.

(ii) The cost of construction.**

(iii) Rs. 7,50,000/- ***

(iv) Repaying Capacity.

** 80% of cost in rural areas.

*** Rs. 1,80,000/- in case of enlargement of existing house.

e) REPAYING CAPACITY:-

Repaying Capacity is computed on the following basis:-

S. No.	Length of remaining service of the applicant.	Repaying Capacity
1.	Retiring after 20 years.	40% of pay @
2.	Retiring after 10 years but not later than 20 years.	40% of pay @ plus 65% of * Retirement Gratuity
3.	Retiring within 10 years	50% of pay @ plus 75% of * Retirement Gratuity.

@ Pay means pay in the pay band

4. DISBURSEMENT OF ADVANCE:

S. No.	Purpose of HBA	Disbursement
(1)	(2)	(3)
(i)	For construction/enlargement (single or double storeyed).	50% - 50%	on execution of mortgage deed on construction reaching plinth level (Ground Floor).
(ii)	For purchase of land and construction (Single storeyed)	40% or - actual cost 30% - 30% -	for purchase of plot on execution of agreement and production of Surety Bond. On execution of Mortgage deed. On construction reaching plinth level.
(iii)	For purchase of land and construction (Double storeyed)	35% or actual cost 32.5% - 32.5% -	for purchase of plot on execution of agreement and production of Surety bond. On execution of the mortgage deed. On construction reaching the plinth level.
(iv)	For purchase of ready built house/flat	100% - in one lumpsum.
(v)	For acquiring flat/house from Co-operative Group Housing Society.	20% - 80% -	Towards purchase of land by the Society. in suitable installments on receipt of demand (pro-rate basis)
(vi)	For purchase of flat under SFS of Development Authorities etc.		No payment for initial registration Deposit. May be released in not more than 5 instalments. But the fifth and final instalment should not be less than 10% and is to be released for making final payment.

5. TIME SCHEDULE FOR UTILISATION OF HBA:

S. No.	Purpose	Time limit
(a)	Purchase of registered plot on which construction can commence immediately.	Sale deed to be produced within 2 months.
(b)	Purchase of ready built house.	Acquisition and mortgage to Government to be completed within 3 months.
(c)	Purchase/construction of new flat	Should be utilised within one month of sanction.

6. REPAYMENT OF ADVANCE:

The recovery of advance shall be made in not more than 180 monthly installment and interest shall be recovered thereafter in not more than 60 monthly installments. In case Government servant is retiring before 20 years, repayment may be made in convenient installments and balance may be paid out of Retirement Gratuity.

7. INTEREST

The rate of interest on Housing Building Advance with effect from 1^st April, 2003 are as follows:-

S. No.	Amount of Advance sanctioned to a Government Servant	Rate of Interest on HBA (Per Annum).
1.	Upto Rs. 50,000/-	5%
2.	Upto Rs. 1,50,000	6.5%
3.	Upto Rs. 5,00,000/-	8.5%
4.	Upto Rs. 7,50,000/-	9.5%

8.COMMENCEMENT OF RECOVERY:

Construction of a house or enlargement of living accommodation	* From pay for the month following the completion. Or The pay for the 18th month after date of payment of the 1st installment, whichever is earlier.
Purchase of land and construction.	* From pay for the month following the completion of the house. Or The pay for the 24th month after date of drawl of installment for purchase of land, whichever is earlier.

COMMENCEMENT OF RECOVERY (CONT'D):

Ready built flat.	* Pay for the month following the month in which advance was drawn.
Purchase of Flat under SFS from Development Authority/Housing Society.	* From the pay for the 18th month after date of payment of 1st installment.

* The sanctions of HBA should invariable stipulate a higher rate of interest at 2.5% above prescribed rates with the stipulation that if conditions attached to the sanction are fulfilled, rebate of interest to the extent of 2.5% will be allowed.

9. CREATION OF SECOND MORTGAGE:

The Government servants who have obtained HBA from the Government may be permitted to create a second charge on the property provided they obtain prior permission of the Head of the Department and the draft deed of second mortgage is submitted to the Head of the Department for scrutiny. Such a second charge may be created only in respect of loans to be granted for meeting the balance cost of houses/flats by recognised financial institutions.

10.PROVISIONS FOR SAFE RECOVERY OF HOUSE BUILDING ADVANCE:

(i). As a safeguard of the House Building advance, the loanee Government employee has to insure the house immediately on completion or purchase of the house, as the case may be, at his own cost with Life Insurance Corporation of India and its associated units. The house/flat constructed/purchased with the help of House Building advance can also be insured with the private insurance companies which are approved by Insurance Regulatory Development Authority(IRDA). However, the insurance should be taken for a sum not less than the amount of advance against damage by fire, flood and lightning, and has to be continued till the advance together with interest is fully repaid to Government.

(ii).The house constructed/purchased with the help of House Building Advance has also be mortgaged in favour of the President of India within a stipulated time unless an extension of time is granted by the concerned Head of the Department. After completion of the recovery of the advance together with interest thereon, the mortgage deed is re-conveyed in a proper manner.

SAIL to gift over 1,000 kg of gold to employees

New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) Government-run steel major SAIL is embarking on a gold-gifting spree for its golden jubilee bash next month and would give its employees over a thousand kg of the precious metal worth about Rs 145 crore.
The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary on February 3, for which it is believed to have ordered nearly 1,040 kg of gold coins to be distributed among its 1,30,000- strong workforce, official sources said.

Coming in the midst of a rough patch for steel industry due to falling steel prices and a demand slump in the market, the proposed doleout of gold coins is part of the company's efforts to reward its workforce on this important occasion.

Weighing eight grams, each of the gold coins would cost about Rs 11,000. The country's largest steel producer SAIL is understood to be channelising the order for coins through SBI.

When contacted, a SAIL spokesperson declined to comment.

Sources, however, said Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan is likely to make an announcement for the goodies to be doled out to SAIL employees during the golden jubilee function of the PSU on February 3 here.

Contending that it is not the first time that employees of a PSU are being rewarded, a senior Steel Ministry official said it is "a token of appreciation for their work".

The domestic steel producers, including SAIL, are passing through tough times now due to waning demand and prices, but had a magical run till September last year.

In the second quarter ended September 30, 2008, SAIL registered an 18.19 per cent jump in its net profit to Rs 2,009.60 crore. The company had a net profit of Rs 1,700.24 crore in the September quarter of FY'08.

The PSU currently produces about 15 million tonnes of steel and has embarked on a Rs 78,000-crore expansion plan to augment its capacity to 26.2 million tonnes by 2010. PTI

Another research body to come up in Hyderabad

Hyderabad (PTI): Yet another world-class research institution will come up in Andhra Pradesh in the next three years.

The Institute of Translational Research (ITR), an autonomous body being "facilitated" by city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), will be set up on a 184 -acre site at Rangapur village in Bibinagar mandal near here.

The state government has allotted the site to CCMB for establishing the Rs 1,000-crore institute that will focus on various areas of biological research like cell biology, developmental biology, stem-cell biology and cancer biology.

The ITR's objective will be to carry the research results directly to the (patient's) bed, CCMB sources said.

The proposed body, for which the Planning Commission has given in principle nod, will collaborate with city-based Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) to carry the research results from "the bench to the bed," they said.

The NIMS is shortly opening its second campus at Bibinagar and it will be tied-up with the ITR, the sources said. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has also approved the ITR project. CCMB is one of the laboratories of the CSIR, a premier government agency.

The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 360 crore towards, what CCMB Director Lalji Singh described a `mega project'. "The institute will give a boost to India's image as an emerging hub of biotech and pharma research," he told PTI.

"India has over 4,694 anthropologically well-defined populations. We need to leverage this as it can provide access to vital research for studying gene-environment interactions in relation to a disease and developing personalised medicine."

ITR is a totally "new concept," according to Singh. "The modern institution and the associated medical school will anchor the application of knowledge of modern biology into clinical care."

It will also take up collection and analysis of large amounts of clinical data, development of personalised medicine, cultivation of stem cell populations, molecular diagnostics and design and development of targeted delivery systems.

On the laboratory front, the institute will match its counterparts in the US, CCMB sources said. It will have the latest tools of Rs 300 crore plus, and hospital equipment worth another Rs 300 crore.

The ITR will offer challenging opportunities for about 1,000 scientists and staff besides about 500 students, the sources added.

As many internationally-reputed pharmaceutical and biotech companies are located in Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh Government pushed for the ITR project and succeeded in bagging it, beating Bihar in the race.

"The presence of ITR will attract multi-national companies engaged in clinical and genomic research to the state," a top official in the Chief Minister's Office said.

With the required land in place, the "first hurdle" for the prestigious project has been cleared. Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is now using his good offices in New Delhi to get other clearances for the project and speed up its establishment, the official added.

Azim Premji Chairman, Wipro Corporation on The Changing World

Prelude

A very inspiring, interesting and thought provoking speech by Shri Azim Premji at the 37th Annual Convocation 2002, IIM, Ahmedabad “While change and uncertainty have always been a part of life, what has been shocking over the last year has been both the quantum and suddenness of change. For many people who were cruising along on placid waters, the wind was knocked out of their sails. The entire logic of doing business was turned on its head. Not only business, but also every aspect of human life has been impacted by the change. What lies ahead is even more dynamic and uncertain. I would like to use this opportunity to share with you some of our own guiding principles of staying afloat in a changing world. This is based on our experience in Wipro. I hope you find them useful.”

LESSON 1

“Be alert for the first signs of change.” Change descends on every One equally; it is just that some realize it faster. Some changes are sudden but many others are gradual.While sudden changes get attention because they are dramatic, it is the gradual changes that are ignored till it is too late. You must have all heard of story of the frog in boiling water. If the temperature of the water is suddenly increased, the frog realizes it and jumps out of the water. But if the temperature is very slowly increased, one degree at a time, the frog does not realize it till it boils to death. You must develop your own early warning system, which warns you of changes and calls your attention to it. In the case of change, being forewarned is being forearmed.

LESSON 2

“Anticipate change even when things are going right." Most people wait for something to go wrong before they think of change. It is like going to the doctor for a check up only when you are seriously sick or thinking of maintaining your vehicle only when it breaks down. The biggest enemy of future success is past success. When you succeed, you feel that you must be doing something right for it to happen. But when the parameters for success change, doing the same things may or may not continue to lead to success. Guard against complacency all the time. Complacency makes you blind to the early signals from the environment that something is going wrong.

LESSON 3

“Always look at the opportunities that change represents.” Managing change has a lot to go with our own attitude towards it. It is proverbial half-full or half empty glass approach. For every problem that change represents, there is an opportunity lurking in disguise somewhere. It is up to you to spot it before someone else does.

LESSON 4

"Managing change has a lot to go with our own attitude towards it. It is proverbial half-full or half empty glass approach. For every problem that change represents, there is an opportunity lurking in disguise somewhere. It is up to you to spot it before someone else does. For many of us the routine. We have got accustomed to obstructs change. Routines represent our own zones of comfort. There is a sense of predictability about them. They have structured our time and even our thought in a certain way. While routines are useful, do not let them enslave you. Deliberately break out of them from time to time.

LESSON 5

“Realize that fear of the unknown is natural.” With change comes a feeling of insecurity. Many people believe that brave people are not afflicted by this malady. The truth is different. Every one feels the fear of unknown. Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to manage fear without getting paralyzed. Feel the fear, but move on regardless.

LESSON 6

“Keep renewing yourself.” This prepares you to anticipate change and be ready for it when it comes. Constantly ask yourself what new skills and competencies will be needed. Begin working on them before it becomes necessary and you will have a natural advantage. The greatest benefit of your education lies not only in what you have learnt, but in working how to learn. Formal education is the beginning of the journey of learning. Yet I do meet youngsters who feel that they have already learnt all there is to learn. You have to constantly learn about people and how to interact effectively with them. In the world of tomorrow, only those individuals and organizations will succeed who have mastered the art of rapid and on-going learning.

LESSON 7

“Surround yourself with people who are open to change." If you are always in the company of cynics, you will soon find yourself becoming like them. A cynic knows all the reasons why something cannot be done. Instead, spend time with people who have a "can-do" approach. Choose your advisors and mentors correctly. Pessimism is contagious, but then so is enthusiasm. In fact, reasonable optimism can be an amazing force multiplier.

LESSON 8

“Play to win..!!" I have said this many times in the past. Playing to win is not the same as cutting corners. When you play to win, you stretch yourself to your maximum and use all your potential. It also helps you to concentrate your energy on what you can influence instead of getting bogged down with the worry of what you cannot change. Do your best and leave the rest.

LESSON 9

“Respect yourself. The world will reward you on your successes." Success requires no explanation and failure permits none. But you need to respect yourself enough so that your self-confidence remains intact whether you succeed or fail. If you succeed 90 per cent of the time, you are doing fine. If you are succeeding all the time, you should ask yourself if you are taking enough risks. If you do not take enough risks, you may also be losing out on many opportunities. Think through but take the plunge. If some things do go wrong, learn from them. I came across this interesting story some time ago:

Story

“One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and begin to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing some thing amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off ! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is too not to get bogged down by it. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping. And by never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up !”

LESSON 10

“Never change: your core values."“Never change: your core values." In spite of all the change around you, decide upon what you will never change: your core values. Take your time to decide what they are but once you do, do not compromise on them for any reason. Integrity is one such value.

LESSON 11

“We must remember that succeeding in a changing world is beyond just surviving.”changing world is beyond just surviving.” It is our responsibility to create and contribute something to the world that has given us so much. We must remember that many have contributed to our success, including our parents and others from our society. All of us have a responsibility to utilize our potential for making our nation a better place for others, who may not be as well endowed as us, or as fortunate in having the opportunities that we have got. Let us do our bit, because doing one good deed can have multiple benefits not only for us but also for many others. Let me end my talk with a small story I came across some time back, which illustrates this very well.

Story

“This is a story of a poor Scottish farmer whose name was Fleming. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby dog. He dropped his tools and ran to the dog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the boy from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you“ said the nobleman. " Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take your son and give him a good education. If he's anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of you." And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St.Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known through-out the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the Nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. This is not the end. The nobleman's son also made a great contribution to society. For the nobleman was non other than Lord Randolph Churchill. and his son's name was Winston Churchill. Let us use all our talent, competence and energy for creating peace and happiness for the nation.” “Change is the Only thing that“Change is the Only thing that will Never change. So betterwill Never change. So better adapt to it."adapt to it." “Change is Universal… Change is Permanent…. Be ever willing to Change….. For, change alone leads you to success and happiness!!!” “If one desires a change, one must be that change before that change can take place”

BEST PRACTICES

In lay men’s language a Best Practice is the improvement in efficiency of management systems for the delivery of basic services. These are the examples of actions which could serve as useful models from which others could learn and adopt to their own situations. A common man treats a practice best which provides utmost comfort in his day to day life.

The UN defines that Best Practices are outstanding contributions for improving the living environment. They are defined and considered by the International Committee at large as successful initiatives which

- Have a demonstrable and tangible impact on improving people’s quality of life;

- Are the result of effective partnerships between the public, private and civic sectors of society;

- Are socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable.

Best Practices are promoted and used by the United Nations and the international community as a means of

- Improving public policy based on what works;

- Raising awareness of decision-makers at all levels and of the public of potential solutions to common social, economic and environmental problems.

- Sharing and transferring knowledge, expertise and experience through networking and peer-to-peer learning.

Modification in Rate of Daily Allowance on tour-GOI OM Dated 22/01/2009

Expiry Date of LPG Cylinders

The procedure for checking the expiry of LPG cylinders is as stated below:
(a) On one of three side stems of the cylinder, the expiry date is coded alpha numerically as follows A or B or C or D and some two digit number following this e.g. D06.
The alphabets stand for quarters -
(i) A for March (First Qtr)
(ii) B for June (Second Qtr)
(iii) C for Sept (Third Qtr)
(iv) D for December (Fourth Qtr
(b) The digits stand for the year till it is valid. Hence D06 would mean December qtr of 2006 and D12 means that the cylinder can be used until Dec 2012.