SB Order No.9/2007 Payment of money when signatures of depositor differs or not available in PO record- a clarification regarding

SB ORDER NO. 9 /2007 

No.110-13/2004-SB (Vol-II) 

Government of India 

Ministry of Communications & IT 

Department of Posts 

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, 

New Delhi-110001. 

Date: 22.6.2007

To
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Payment of money when signatures of depositor differs or not available in PO record- a clarification regarding. 

Sir / Madam, 

During scrutiny of some fraud cases, it has come to the notice of this office that in case signature of depositor differs or not available in the Post office and withdrawal form is presented by a messenger, the payment is being made to the messenger by taking witness of either depositor or messenger on the withdrawal form thereby resulting in misappropriation of money by the messengers. The identification of messenger is not prescribed in any rule. 

2. Rule 36 of POSB Manual is very clear in this respect. However it is further clarified that if withdrawal form is presented by messenger and the signature of depositor differs with the signature on record, the payment should only be made to the depositor himself after his proper identification by one of various means mentioned in Rule 36 and Rule 37 of POSB Manual Vol-I. In case of non-availability of original SB-3, revised SB-3 should be taken from the depositor after completing all the formalities required at the time of opening of new account. This revised SB-3 should be attested by the APM/SPM and remark should be given on the top of it as “Revised”. It should also be date stamped and then payment should be made to the depositor himself. 

3. It is requested that this may kindly be brought to the notice of all post offices for information, guidance and necessary action. It is also requested that SBCO staff should be directed to see while checking the vouchers that this procedure is followed and brought the lapses to the notice of concerned divisional head if any. 

4. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS) 

Yours faithfully, 

(Kawal Jit Singh) 

Assistant Superintendent Posts (SB&CC) 

Copy to-
1. Director of Audit (P&T), Delhi.
2. All Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts, Postal
3. Director, Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad.
4. All Directors, Postal Training Centres.
5. DDG(PG)/DDG(VIG)
6. ADG(BS)
7. AD PG/Inspection/PF/Vigilance/Postal Accounts Section
8. All Accounts Officers ICO(SB)
9. All recognized Staff Unions and Associations.
10.Min. of Finance (DEA) NS-II section, North Block, New Delhi.
11.PS to Member (I&FS)