Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme - FAQs

Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme - FAQs

Introduction 1. What is Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme, 2012? With an objective to encourage the savings of the small investors in domestic capital market, the Government of India announced a scheme named Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme, 2012 (RGESS). 2. What does the RGESS envisage? A new section 80CCG under the Income Tax Act, 1961 on Deduction in respect of investment under an equity savings scheme is introduced to give tax benefits to New Retail Investors who invest up to Rs.50,000 in Eligible Securities and whose gross total annual income is less than or equal to Rs.10 Lakhs.

Introduction 3. Who is a 'New Retail Investor'? A 'New Retail Investor' is any resident Individual who has not opened a demat account and has not made any transactions in the equity or derivative segment as on the date of notification of the scheme i.e., November 23, 2012. In case the demat account is opened as a first holder, but there are no transactions in the equity or derivate segment, still the person is eligible. In case the individuals name is in the demat account as a joint holder, then the person is still eligible for the deduction.

Introduction 4. What are eligible securities? These companies must be a part of either 'CNX-100' of NSE or BSE-100. These companies can be public sector enterprises which are categorized as Maharatna, Navratna or Miniratna by the Central Government. The details of eligible securities are available at the website of NSE (www.nseindia.com) & BSE (www.bseindia.com). Mutual Fund schemes which are RGESS compliant. Exchange Traded Funds Schemes which are RGESS compliant. These shares can either be purchased in the secondary market or also subscribed to at the time of IPO/NFO.

Tax Benefits

Tax Benefits 1. What is the maximum amount i require to invest for availing tax benefits in RGESS? You can invest a maximum amount Rs.50,000 for availing tax benefits in RGESS. 2. How much tax deduction will i be eligible under RGESS? You will be eligible to get tax deduction on 50% of the amount invested. Let us say, you invest Rs.50,000 under RGESS, the amount eligible for tax deduction will be Rs.25,000 from your income. Let us say, you invest Rs.40,000 under RGESS, the amount eligible for tax deduction will be Rs.20,000 from your income. 3. Is this tax deduction of maximum of Rs.50,000 over and above limit of Rs.1,00,000 that is currently available for me under section 80C of income tax act? Yes. You can avail Rs.1,00,000 under Section 80C of Income Tax Act and Rs.25,000 for maximum investment of Rs.50,000 under 80CCG.

Mode of Holding Eligible Securities

Eligible Securities 1. What will be the mode of holding eligible securities? The mode of holding eligible securities under RGESS will be in a 'Demat account'. 2. How can I open a demat account? You can open a demat account with any Participant of NSDL/CDSL. 3. What are the formalities that I need to fulfill at the time of opening demat account? You will be required to fulfill the KYC requirements i.e., submit proof of identity, address, PAN etc as prescribed by SEBI to Depository Participant where you wish to open a demat account.

Eligible Securities 4. In case I already have a demat account? In case you already have a demat account and are otherwise eligible for RGESS benefit, you can designate your existing demat account as a RGESS account by approaching your Depository Participant. 5. Is there any specific document to be submitted to my depository participant for designating the demat account for RGESS? Yes. You will be required to submit a declaration in 'Form A' duly signed by the account holder(s) for designating the demat account for RGESS. 6. Where will I get 'Form A'? You can get 'Form A' from your Depository Participant, where you have designated your demat account for RGESS.

Eligible Securities 7. Can I designate or open more than one demat account for RGESS? No. You can have only one demat account across depositories (i.e., NSDL / CDSL) for RGESS. 8. Can I hold other securities i.e., other than eligible securities in my demat account designated for RGESS? Yes. Other securities (viz., equity shares, debentures, bonds, mutual fund units, etc.) can be held in the demat account designated for RGESS.

Mode of investing in RGESS

Mode of Investing in RGESS 1. How do I invest in eligible securities of RGESS? First and foremost, you need to have a demat account with any Depository Participant. The demat account must be designated as RGESS. For investing in any eligible securities from the secondary market, you can approach any SEBI registered stock broker. In case you are investing in mutual funds through any distributor, you need to simply provide your demat account details like Demat Account Number and DP ID for receiving credit of the mutual fund units into the demat account. For investing in any IPO/NFO of the eligible securities, you can subscribe for the same and provide your demat account number for receiving credit of the eligible securities into the demat account.

Holding of Investments RGESS Fixed Lock-in Period

RGESS Fixed Lock-in Period 1. What is the holding period for investments made under RGESS? Once the investments are made in the eligible securities, they must be locked-in for a period of three years from the date of investment. In case you intend to dispose of the holdings earlier than three years, it can be done after completion of at least one year from the date of investment subject to certain conditions. Thus, the holding period under RGESS is for three years, which includes Fixed Lock-in for one year and Flexible lock-in for two years. Example: Let us say, you have purchased eligible securities worth Rs. 50,000 in a RGESS designated demat account on December 31, 2012. The eligible securities will be in Fixed lock-in till December 30, 2013 and for flexible lock-in till December 30, 2015.

Holding of Investments RGESS Flexible Lock-in Period

RGESS Flexible Lock-in Period 1. What is 'flexible lock-in' period? During Flexible lock-in period, you can dispose your eligible securities subject to certain conditions as follows; If you dispose eligible securities during Flexible lock-in period, then Investment portfolio must be atleast equivalent to deduction amount claimed. This can be by way of increase in market value. This condition must be met for 270 days in a year for two years; or In case the investment portfolio has not increased, then new investments must be made in eligible securities in such a manner that the value of investment portfolio becomes: Atleast equivalent to the investment claimed as eligible for deduction; or Equal the value of investment portfolio before such sale.whichever is less

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous 1. What will happen to my demat account at the end of flexible lock-in period? Your demat account that was designated for RGESS will be converted into a regular or ordinary demat account at the end of the flexible lock-in period. 2. At any given time in case I fail to comply with any condition specified in the scheme? The benefits availed there under for the financial year 2012-2013 will be withdrawn and you shall be liable to tax as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Source for the FAQ: NSE

About Ashika Group

About the Ashika Group Ashika Group is a premier financial services provider, offering Trading in equity, commodity, currency; Depository through CDSL and NSDL; Distribution in Mutual Fund, IPO, Stock SIP, NSEL Fixed Income Contract, Bond and NCD Issue; Corporate Lending and Investment Banking. We began operations in 1994. Over the last 18 years, we have served the specific needs of more than 85,000 clients and 600 business associates. Headquartered at Kolkata, the company (ASBL) has its registered office at Nariman Point, Mumbai.

Reach Us Head Office Trinity, 226/1, A.J.C. Bose Road, 7th Floor, Kolkata - 700 020 West Bengal, India Tel: +91 33 4010 2500 Toll-free: 1800-212-2525 Fax: +91 33 2289 1555 Email: bd@ashikagroup.com If you are interested in the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS) kindly contact: Ms. Sweta Jain Telephone: +91 33 4010 2500 (Extn. 251) Mobile: +91 90070 66109 Visit us at www.ashikagroup.com

Registration Nos SEBI Registration Nos. NSE : INB230833437 / INF230833437 / INE230833437 MCX-SX : INE260833437 BSE : INB010833433 / INF010833433 CDSL : IN-DP-CDSL-250-2004 / DPID : 12034500 NSDL : IN-DP-NSDL-306-2008 / DPID : IN303591 PMS : INP000003609 Merchant Banker : INM000010536 FMC Unique Membership Code NCDEX : NCDEX/TCM/CORP/0045 MCX : MCX/TCM/CORP/0241 ICEX : ICEX/TCM/CORP/0125 NMCE : NMCE/TCM/CORP/0130 ACE : ACEL/TCM/CORP/0213 N-SPOT : NCDEXSPOT/110/CO/11/20537 NSEL Member Id : 10830 AMFI Registration No. ARN-12417

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