Revenue Recovery Manual 070812
Revenue Recovery Manual 070812
Revenue Recovery Manual 070812
RECOVERY MANUAL
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SEPTEMBER - 2011
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Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi, I.A.S. Tele : 91-11-23 71 02 65
Secretary to Govt. of India Fax : 91-11-23 35 56 79
E-mail : m.sarangi@nic.in
FOREWORD
I am happy to learn that ESI Corporation is bringing out the 2nd
edition of its Recovery Manual in a comprehensive and improved form.
The Corporation has come a long way since setting up of its own
Recovery Machinery way back in 1991-92. Hence revision of its Recovery
Manual, published in the 1990s was long overdue.
FOREWORD
The updated version of Recovery Manual incorporating the laws,
procedures and related court judgements is self-contained guidelines
for the officials of the Corporation engaged in recovery of outstanding
revenue from defaulting employers. Revision of this Manual, which
was first published in the year 1992 when the Corporation was in the
learning process of creating its own Recovery Machinery, was long
overdue.
B.K. Sahu
Insurance Commissioner
PREFACE
The ESI Corporation has been providing comprehensive social
security to the workers and their families in the contingencies of sickness,
maternity, disablement and death for over six decades. The Corporation
has been continuously striving to improve and upgrade the facilities
for delivery of benefits as well as the quality of benefits. As the Scheme
is mainly financed by contribution from employees and employers, it
is necessary to maintain a steady flow of revenue to meet the rising
expectations of the beneficiaries.
(B.K. SAHU)
Insurance Commissioner
Appendix-XXVIII The Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 258
Appendix-XXIX The Third Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 283
Appendix-XXX The Income Tax (Certificate Proceedings) Rules, 1962. 283
Appendix-XXXI Show Cause Notice under NI Act to the Defaulter when the
Cheque is dishonored. 299
Appendix-XXXII Advice to Bank for Payment/Remittance of amount to Recovery Officer. 300
Appendix-XXXIII Revocation Order where payment has been received in full. 301
Appendix-XXXIV Revocation Order where Recovery Proceedings have been stayed by
Courts/A.O. 302
Appendix-XXXV Periodical Returns. 303
Appendix-XXXVI Copy of R.B.I advice. to All Scheduled Commercial Banks on
maintaining information about the ESI dues. 307
Appendix-XXXVII Specimen copy of Notice of Auction for advertisement in local dailies. 309
In a Scheme that provides a vast spectrum of assured benefits both in cash and in kind
to its beneficiaries and that runs mainly on the funds generated by the contributions
of the employers and employees, the most indispensable pre-requisite is to have a
powerful machinery in place, that systematically monitors the collection of revenues
and also effectively enforces the recovery of the arrears of revenue that might have
become due to it. For several years the recovery of the arrears of revenues due to the
corporation was entrusted to the respective State Government Machinery. But year
after year its performance in this area was dismal and there was a gross mismatch
between the mounting arrears and the inability of the State Machinery in attending
to this task. The State Government apparatus could not accord top priority and undivided
attention required for achieving tangible results. This attracted lot of adverse criticisms
and strong reprimands from all corners like the Standing Committee, Corporation,
Auditors, and Parliamentary Committees etc.
Incidentally, even the Income Tax arrears also were recovered through the State Machinery
before the Income Tax Department established its own independent machinery for
recovery and enacted Schedule II & III of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the ITCP
Rules, 1962. This example helped to serve as a guideline for the Corporation to
conceptualize an independent recovery machinery of its own.
Then came the most revolutionary and a historic measure which resulted in establishing
its own independent Recovery machinery armed with all the powers available to the
Income Tax authorities. A whole new set of new sections from 45C to 45H were
introduced through amendment to the Act in the year 1991 vide section 16 of Amendment
Act 29 of 1989 and these provisions were designed to provide ample functional and
independent powers required to recover the arrears of Revenue to the officers of the
The Recovery machinery in the offices of the Corporation has now taken deep roots
and has already made a very significant and impressive impact on the defaulters. The
Recovery officers have been using every known and possible technique to recover the
certificate amount. Even so, huge arrears belonging to old periods are yet to be recovered.
The total arrears position, pace of recovery, progress made in each month and the
underlying causes for any slackness are reviewed, analyzed and are monitored very
scrupulously. This undoubtedly would always be a top priority item. All the Senior
Officers like RD, IC, DG would very meticulously take stock of performance of each
Region and individual Recovery Officer would be called upon to justify his performance
and any short fall or inadequacy would be highlighted, communicated and responsibilities
are fixed. Besides, targets are fixed for recovery and they are expected to be unfailingly
achieved and overhauled. Thus, the recovery officer carries huge accountability and
massive responsibilities on his shoulders.
The task of recovery officer is, therefore, highly challenging. The key word is extreme
diligence and lightening speed in planning and executing the action. A very important
pre-requisite is a thorough knowledge of the governing Rules, Regulations application
of provisions of Schedules II and III of Income Tax Act, related provisions of IPC,
application of statutory provisions, collating all the required information by tapping all
sources of information and eliciting all the related information and obtaining the
documents of all the properties etc.
The chapters II to XXI provide a detailed insight into the various provisions of the
statutes governing the recovery and the procedures to be followed for recovery the
dues.
i) The Act means the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 as amended.
ii) Authorised Bank means the Reserve Bank of India or the State Bank of India
or any of its subsidiaries or a Nationalised Bank as specified in the First Schedule
to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings ) Act, 1970
(5 of 1970) and 1980 (40 of 1980).
iii) Authorised Officer means the Director General, Insurance Commissioner, Regional
Director or such other officer as may be authorized by the Central Government,
by notification in the Official Gazette.
iv) Certificate means the certificate received by the Recovery Officer from the
Authorized Officer, for recovery of Arrears under the Act. [Except the word
certificate mentioned in Para 5.14 (Rule 7 of Second Schedule), Para 6.21 (Rule
44(2) of Second Schedule Certificate of sale of Movable Property in form ESICP
19), Para 7.18 (Rule 65 of Second ScheduleCertificate of sale of Immovable
Property in form ESICP 23) and Para 7.19 (Rule 66 (2) of Second Schedule -
Certificate to defaulter authorizing him to mortgage, lease or sell property in
form ESICP 20)]
vii) Form means a form appended to this Manual (which in fact is derivative, with
suitable modifications of the form appended to the Income Tax (Certificate
Proceeding) Rules, 1962).
viii) Immovable Property includes the land, benefits that arise out of land, a thing
attached to the earth, or permanently fastened to anything attached to the
earth, but does not include growing crops.
x) Public Officer shall have the same meaning as in the code of Civil Procedure,
1908 (5 of 1908).
xii) Recovery Officer means any officer of the Central Government, State Government
or the Corporation, who may be authorized by the Central Government, by
notification in the Official Gazette to exercise the powers of a Recovery Officer
under this Act.
xiii) Share in Corporation includes stock, debentures stock, debentures and bonds.
The following provisions have been created under the ESI Act for speedy recovery of
the Arrears that is due to the Corporation. Section 45B was in force w.e.f.17.06.1967 vide Act
No.44 of 1966 and the new provisions from 45C to 45I was introduced w.e.f. 01-09-1991 vide
Amendment Act of 29 of 1989.
Any contributions payable under this Act may be recovered as an arrear of land revenue.
(1) Where any amount is in arrear under this Act, the authorized officer may issue,
to the Recovery Officer a certificate under his signature specifying the amount
of arrears and the Recovery Officers on receipt of such certificate, shall proceed
to recover the amount specified therein from the factory or establishment or, as
the case may be, the principal or immediate employer by one or more of the
modes mentioned below:-
PROVIDED that the attachment and sale of any property under this section shall
first be effected against the properties of the factory or establishment and where
such attachments and sale is insufficient for recovering the whole of the amount
of the arrears specified in the certificate, the recovery officer may take such
proceedings against the property of the employer for recovery of the whole or
any part of such arrears.
(2) The authorized officer may issue a certificate under sub section (1) not withstanding
that proceedings for recovery of the arrears by any other mode have been taken.
(1) The authorized officer may forward the certificate referred to in section 45C to
the recovery officer within whose jurisdiction the employer
b) is of the opinion that, for the purpose of expediting or securing the recovery
of the whole or any part of the amount, it is necessary so to do.
he may send the certificate or, where only a part of the amount is to be
recovered, a copy of the certificate certified in the manner prescribed by
the Central Government and specifying the amount to be recovered to the
recovery officer within whose jurisdiction the factory or establishment or
the principal or immediate employer has property or the employer resides,
and thereupon that recovery officer shall also proceed to recover the amount
due under this section as if the certificate or the copy thereof had been
the certificate sent to him by the authorized officer.
(1) When the authorised officer issues a certificate to a Recovery Officer under
section 45C, it shall not be open to the factory or establishment or the principal
or immediate employer to dispute before the Recovery Officer the correctness
of the amount, and no objection to the certificate on any other ground shall also
be entertained by the Recovery Officer.
(3) The authorised officer shall intimate to the Recovery Officer any orders withdrawing
or cancelling a certificate or any correction made by him under sub- section (2)
or any amendment made under subsection (4) of section 45F.
(1) Notwithstanding that a certificate has been issued to the Recovery Officer for
the recovery of any amount, the authorised officer may grant time for the payment
of the amount, and thereupon the Recovery Officer shall stay the proceedings
until the expiry of the time so granted.
(2) Where a certificate for the recovery of amount has been issued, the authorised
officer shall keep the Recovery Officer informed of any amount paid or time
granted for payment, subsequent to the issue of such certificate.
(4) Where a certificate for the recovery of amount has been issued and subsequently
the amount of the outstanding demand is reduced as a result of an appeal or
other proceeding under this Act, the authorized officer shall, when the order
which was the subject- matter of such appeal or other proceeding has become
final and conclusive, amend the certificate or withdraw it, as the case may be.
(1) Notwithstanding the issue of a certificate to the Recovery Officer under section
45C, the Director General or any other officer authorised by the Corporation
may recover the amount by any one or more of the modes provided in this
section.
(2) If any amount is due from any person to any factory or establishment or, as the
case may be, the principal or immediate employer who is in arrears, the Director
General or any other officer authorised by the Corporation in this behalf may
require such person to deduct from the said amount the arrears due from such
factory or establishment or, as the case may be, the principal or immediate
employer under this Act and such person shall comply with any such requisition
and shall pay the sum so deducted to the credit of the Corporation:
PROVIDED that nothing in this sub- section shall apply to any part of the amount
exempt from attachment in execution of a decree of a civil court under section
60 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908).
(3) (i) The Director General or any other officer authorised by the Corporation in
this behalf may, at any time or from time to time, by notice in writing,
require any person from whom money is due or may become due to the
factory or establishment or, as the case may be, the principal or immediate
employer or any person who holds or may subsequently hold money for or
on account of the factory or establishment or, as the case may be, the
(ii) A notice under this sub- section may be issued to any person who holds or
may subsequently hold any money for or on account of the principal or
immediate employer jointly with any other person and for the purposes of
this sub- section, the shares of the joint- holders in such account shall be
presumed, until the contrary is proved, to be equal.
(iv) Save as otherwise provided in this sub- section, every person to whom a
notice is issued under this sub- section shall be bound to comply with such
notice, and, in particular, where any such notice is issued to a post office,
bank or an insurer, it shall not be necessary for any pass book, deposit
receipt, policy or any other document to be produced for the purpose of
any entry, endorsement or the like being made before payment is made
notwithstanding any rule, practice or requirement to the contrary.
(v) Any claim respecting any property in relation to which a notice under this
sub- section has been issued arising after the date of the notice shall be
void as against any demand contained in the notice.
(vi) Where a person to whom a notice under this sub- section is sent objects
to it by a statement on oath that the sum demanded or any part thereof
is not due to the principal or immediate employer or that he does not hold
any money for or on account of the principal or immediate employer, then,
nothing contained in this sub- section shall be deemed to require such
person to pay any such sum or part thereof, as the case may be, but if it
is discovered that such statement was false in any material particular, such
(vii) The Director General or the officer so authorised may, at any time or from
time to time, amend or revoke any notice issued under this sub- section or
extend the time for making any payment in pursuance of such notice.
(viii) The Director General or the officer so authorised shall grant a receipt for
any amount paid in compliance with a notice issued under this sub- section
and the person so paying shall be fully discharged from his liability to the
principal or immediate employer to the extent of the amount so paid.
(ix) Any person discharging any liability to the principal or immediate employer
after the receipt of a notice under this sub-section shall be personally
liable to the Director General or the officer so authorized to the extent of
his own liability to the principal or immediate employer so discharged or
to the extent of the principal or immediate employers liability for any sum
due under this Act, whichever is less.
(x) If the person to whom a notice under this sub-section is sent fails to make
payment in pursuance thereof to the Director General or the officer so
authorised, he shall be deemed to be a principal or immediate employer
in default in respect of the amount specified in the notice and further
proceedings may be taken against him for the realization of the amount as
if it were an arrear due from him in the manner provided in sections 45C
to 45F and the notice shall have the same effect as an attachment of a
debt by the Recovery Officer in exercise of his powers under section 45C.
(4) The Director General or the officer authorised by the Corporation in this behalf
may apply to the court in whose custody there is money belonging to the principal
or immediate employer for payment to him of the entire amount of such money,
or if it is more than the amount due, an amount sufficient to discharge the
amount due.
(5) The Director General or any officer of the Corporation may, if so authorised by
the Central Government by general or special order, recover any arrears of amount
2.8 Section 45H. Application of certain provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961:
The provisions of the Second and Third Schedules to the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of
1961) and the Income Tax (Certificate Proceedings) Rules, 1962, as in force from time
to time, shall apply with necessary modifications as if the said provisions and the rules
referred to the arrears of the amount of contributions, interests or damages under
this Act instead of to the Income Tax: Provided that any reference in the said provisions
and the rules to the assesses shall be construed as a reference to a factory or an
establishment or the principal or immediate employer under this Act.
(a) Authorised officer means the Director General, Insurance Commissioner, Joint
Insurance Commissioner, Regional Director or such other officer as may be
authorized by the Central Government by notification by the Official Gazette;
(b) Recovery officer means any officer of the Central Government, State Government
or the Corporation, who may be authorized by the Central Government, by
notification in the official gazette, to exercise the powers of a recovery officer
under this Act.
2.10 Section 39 (5) (b) of the Act read with Regulation 31B of the ESI (General) Regulations,
1950. - Recovery of Interest:
Any interest recoverable under the Act may be recovered as arrears of Land Revenue
or under Section 45 C to Section 45 I of the Act.
Any Damages recoverable under the Act may be recovered as arrears of Land Revenue
or under Section 45 C to Section 45 I of the Act.
3.2 Transfer of Proceedings from one Recovery Officer to other (Rule 8 of ITCP Rules
1962):
Where any proceedings for execution of a certificate pending before a Recovery Officer
stands transferred to any other Recovery Officer, the Recovery Officer to whom the
proceeding stands transferred or is transferred, may continue the proceedings from
the stage at which they stood immediately before such transfer and such transfer shall
not render necessary the re-issue of any notice, warrant, proclamation, order or certificate
already issued.
3.3 Procedure to be followed while sending certificate to another Recovery Officer (Rule
9 of ITCP Rules 1962):
(1) Where only a part of the amount in respect of which a certificate has been
received by a Recovery Officer is to be recovered by any other Recovery Officer
under sub section (2) of Section 45D of the Act, the Recovery Officer before
sending a certified copy of the said certificate to the other Recovery Officer,
endorse on such copy, a certificate in form ESICP 1.
(2) When a copy of the certificate is sent by a Recovery Officer to another Recovery
Officer under sub section (2) of Section 45D of the Act, he shall:
The Recovery Officer shall intimate the details of all amounts recovered in respect of
a certificate from time to time to the authorized officer and also to any other Recovery
Officer , to whom the certificate or the certified copy of the certificate has been sent
by him under sub section (2) of Section 45 D of the Act.
When a certificate or the certified copy of the certificate is sent by a Recovery Officer
to another Recovery Officer u/s 45D of the Act, such other Recovery Officer, shall
communicate to the first mentioned Recovery Officer and to the Authorised Officer,
who issued the certificate, the details of all amounts recovered by him in respect of
such certificate from time to time.
Where a certificate has been issued by an authorized officer he shall keep the Recovery
Officer to whom the certificate has been forwarded by him under sub-section (1) of
section 45 D of the Act and any other Recovery Officer to whom the certificate or a
certified copy of the certificate has been sent under sub-section (2) of section 45 D
of the Act, informed of any contributions , interest, damages or other sum as the case
may be paid or about any time granted for payment subsequent to the issue of such
certificate.
No step in execution of a certificate shall be taken until the period of fifteen days has
elapsed since the date of actual service of the notice in form ESICP 2.
Provided that if the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the defaulter is likely to conceal,
remove or dispose of the whole or any part of such of his movable property as would
Provided further, that if the defaulter whose property has been so attached, furnishes
security to the satisfaction of the Recovery Officer, such attachment shall be cancelled
from the date on which such security is accepted by the Recovery Officer.
3.10 Mode of Recovery (Sec.45C of the ESI Act read with Rule 4 of Second Schedule to the
Income Tax Act, 1961)
If the amount mentioned in the notice is not paid within the time specified therein
or within further time as the Recovery Officer may grant in his discretion, the Recovery
Officer shall proceed to realize the amount by one or more of the following modes:-
As soon as the Recovery certificate is received by the Recovery Officer from the Authorised
Officer or from other Recovery Officer, the Recovery Officer, after making entries in various
Registers and records and after incorporating the details in the system, shall cause to issue
a demand Notice in ESICP 2 .This is the Notice of demand to defaulter directing him to pay
the recoverable amount including the accrued interest and all the incidental expenses within
15 days from the date of receipt of the said Notice. All such Notices, warrants and other
communications have to be meticulously and systematically issued to his all the known
addresses and ensure that it is properly delivered to the addressee. It is imperative that all
the relevant documents are systematically maintained for producing them to the courts if
need so arises. The statutory compulsions to follow fool- proof procedure to stand the
scrutiny of the courts must be strictly adhered to. The following aspects are relevant:
Under the ESI Act, 1948, no specific mode or manner of service of Notice has been
prescribed. For the purpose of recovery of ESI dues it was earlier provided that the dues may
be recovered as if it were an arrear of Land Revenue. Hence the procedure to be followed
for recovery and issuance of Notices was under the various Public Demands Recovery Acts.
However, with the introduction of sections 45C and 45I in the ESI Act, the procedure laid
down in the Second and Third schedules to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax (Certificate
Proceedings) Rules would be applicable for recovering ESI Dues. Thus, the procedure for
issue and service of Notice for the purpose of recovery of the ESI dues by the Recovery
Officer would be governed by the Second and Third Schedules and the IT (CP) Rules, 1962.
It is to be noted that these provisions for service of Notice in the Second Schedule of the
Income Tax Act are inter-linked with order V of the Civil Procedure Code relating to service
of summons and in case of doubt these provisions could be referred to.
Under the Income Tax Act, it is provided that Notice for the purpose of the Act shall
be served in the same manner as the summons issued by a Court under the CPC. This step
is very important as the proceedings under any Law can be validly initiated only with a valid
service of Notice.
When a certificate in form C-19, C-19(I) & D-19 has been received by the Recovery
Officer from the Authorised Officer for the recovery of arrears, the Recovery Officer
Service of Notice legally refers to a proper delivery of a Notice (or any other similar
communications like warrants, court orders or orders of statutory authorities) to the
right addressee. It further implies a communication of an order of an authority authorized
under the law to the person from whom compliance is expected or a decision taken
by such authority is communicated. Notice is also issued requiring a person to show
cause as to why a particular action against such person should not be taken. The
principle of natural justice that party must be heard before any action is taken is the
guiding spirit behind the requirement of service of Notices.
2. Mere issuance of a Notice is not enough. The Notice must be served on the
party within the prescribed time limit, if any.
5. The burden of proving that a proper Notice has been served is on the authority
who exercises the power under the law.
The Income Tax Act has clearly laid down as to the person who should be served with
the Notice in different contexts. Under the ESI Act, no such provision clearly exists.
Payment of ESI contributions being a responsibility cast on the principal employer, the
Notice must be obviously served on him. In the event of recovery of contribution from
an Immediate Employer the Notice has to be served on the Immediate Employer also.
A Principal Employer has been defined under section 2(17) of the ESI Act and the
Immediate Employer is defined under Section 2(13) of the Act. Hence the Notice
The procedure relating to the service of Notices issued by the Recovery Officer under
Schedule II is governed by the provisions of section 282(1) of the I.T.Act, 1961, which
provides that a Notice or requisition under the Act may be served on the person
(defaulter) named therein either by post, or as if it were summons issued by the Court
under the code of Civil Procedure. Further, Rules 10 to 20 under order V of the CPC
lay down the manner of Issue and Service of Summons which have been adopted by
Income Tax. The Summons may be served in the following manner:
1. Service by post
2. Service on the person or his authorized agent
3. Service by affixture
4. Substituted Service
As regards the modes of service, a Notice or requisition under the Act may be served
on the person named therein.
i) either by post
ii) or as if it were a summon issued by a Court under the Civil Procedure Code.
1. Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 enjoins upon the sender to get the
service effected by Registered Post Acknowledgment due.
2. Even while a summons is served as per order V of the Civil Procedure Code,
service by registered post additionally is now necessary according to Rule 19A of
the said Order V of the code.
3. Service by registered post on a person other than the addressee raises a rebuttable
presumption of valid service. Thus, it is very important to ensure that the Notice
in question is served only on the person in question properly and necessary
proof should be preserved.
5. The postal remark left on the returned cover itself means that there was no
service.
6. The endorsement of the postal authorities Not known means that the defaulter
(factory/establishment or the principal or Immediate employer) could not be
traced at the given address, whereas Not found indicates that the addressee
was not available at the time the postman/messenger went to deliver.
Note: Non delivery of Notices Follow up Action thereon: The main problem
could be that of non delivery of Notices by Regd. Post. The following clarification
will help solving the problem:
i) Section 27 of the General Clauses Act reads as :- Where any Central Act or
Regulation made after the commencement of this Act authorizes or requires any
document to be served by Post, whether the expression serve or either of the
expression give or sent or any expression is used , then, unless a different
intention appears, the service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing,
pre-paying and posting by Registered Post, a letter containing the document and
unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at time at which the letter
would be delivered in the ordinary courses of post.
ii) When a letter is posted it is presumed that it has reached its destination and has
been delivered to the defaulter. If letter is sent by registered post, that presumption
is still stronger (Commissioner of Hazari Bagh Muncipality vs Fulchand Agarwal,
AIR 1966)
iii) In a case where Notices were sent by Registered Post to the proper address, it
was held that their non-receipt by the defaulter (addressee) will not invalidate
the assessment (Bhopal Trading Co Vs CIT UP, 28 ITR, 478)
This mode of service can be divided broadly under 3 heads, namely (i) service on
person, (ii) service by affixture, and (iii) substituted service.
Wherever practicable, a Notice shall be served by the process server (or any other
officer authorized to do so) on the defaulter in person, or on his agent authorized to
accept the service of Notices on his behalf (0rder-V, IT 12 and 13 C.P.C). Again, where
the defaulter is absent from his residence at the time when the Notice is sought to
be served on him at his residence, and there is no likelihood of his being found at the
residence within a reasonable time, and he has no agent to accept service of the
Notice on his behalf, service may be made on any adult member of the family, whether
male or female, who is residing with him. Previously, service of Notice could be affected
only on an adult male member of the family, but now after the amendment introduced
in the C.P.C. by the Amendment Act, 1976; service made on an adult female member
of the family will also be equally valid (Order V, Rule 15 of CPC). It is noteworthy that
a servant is not regarded as a member of the defaulters family.
When the serving officer delivers a copy of the Notice to the defaulter or any other
person on his behalf, he shall obtain on the original Notice the signature of the person
to whom the copy of the Notice is so delivered in acknowledgment of the service
thereof as provided in rule 16 of Order V. In the alternative, the serving officer may
take the signature of the person on tear off acknowledgment slip (ITNS 50) in token
of the service of the Notice. Simultaneously with the service of the Notice personally
on the defaulter or his authorized agent, the Recovery Officer may if he considers it
necessary to do so, also direct that the Notice be served by Registered Post
Acknowledgment Due , as prescribed in rule 19 A of Order V inserted by the C.P.C. (
Amendment) Act, 1976.
Here a word of caution is necessary. At times a defaulter may be busy with a religious
ceremony like marriage, etc. On such occasions, the Recovery Officer should not insist
Rule 17, 18 & 19 of Order V of the CPC provide for the contingency when the defaulter
or his agent refuses to take the Notice or when the serving officer, after using all due
and reasonable diligence, cannot find the defaulter, and there is no agent or any other
person on whom the service can be made. In such circumstances, service can be made
by affixture. The Serving Officer can effect service by affixing a copy of the summon/
Notice on the outer door or some conspicuous part of the house in which the defaulter
ordinarily resides or carries on business or personally works for gain in the following
circumstances:
ii) (a) where after all due and reasonable diligence the defaulter cannot be found
at his residence.
(b) there is no likelihood of his being found at his residence within a reasonable
time and
(c) there is no agent empowered to accept service on his behalf nor any other
person on whom service can be made.
After so serving by affixation, the Serving Officer is duty bound to return the
original to the issuing Court/Office of the Recovery Officer with a report stating-
On receipt of the report, the Recovery Officer should, in cases where the report of the
process server or the serving officer is not verified by an affidavit, examine the official
concerned, and record on the order sheet a declaration as to whether, in his view, the
Notice was duly served or not, and, in the latter event, order such service as he thinks
fit. Even where the serving officers report is accompanied by his affidavit, the Recovery
There may be occasions when the defaulter is keeping away for the purpose of avoiding
service, and the Notice cannot be served in the ordinary way on any other person. In
such circumstances, the Recovery Officer has to pass an order under rule 20 of Order
V of the CPC to that effect and order substituted service of the Notice by affixing a
copy of the Notice at some conspicuous place in the Recovery Officers office and also
upon some conspicuous part of the house (if any) in which the defaulter is known to
have last resided, or carried on business, or personally worked for gains. Or in such
manner as the Recovery Officer thinks fit. (This could cover, for instance, advertisement
in the public press). The main difference in procedure between service by affixture
and substituted service is that in the latter a copy of the Notice should be affixed to
the Notice board of the Recovery Officers Office in addition to other formalities to be
observed in the case of service by affixture.
The service of Notice has to be made on the defaulter mentioned in the certificate.
Such service does not present any problem where the defaulter happens to be an
individual. However, the service of the Notice may pose some problems when the
defaulter happens to be a Hindu Undivided Family, Firm, and Artificial Juridical Person
(e.g. a deity) etc. Where the person is not an Individual, the service of the Notice
has to be made on the person(s) specified in sections 282(2), 283 and 284 of the
Income-Tax Act, 1961 viz :
A common defect that one usually comes across is that after the Notices are served
by affixture, there is no compliance with the procedure laid down under Rule 19 of
Order V of CPC i.e. neither any affidavit is secured from the process server or the SSO
(Recovery) regarding the circumstances under which he was obliged to serve the Notice
by affixture, nor is a declaration made by the Recovery Officer as to validity or the lack
of it of the service by affixture. Although such irregularity does not amount to an
illegality vitiating all further proceedings, one should always be on the guard to follow
the Rules of Service strictly, so that legal complications may not arise at a later stage.
A summons may be sent by the issuing Court, whether within or outside the State;
either by an Officer of the Court or by post to any Court (other than a High Court),
having jurisdiction where the defaulter resides.
Rule 22 of CPC: If the summons is sent to Calcutta, Madras or Bombay for service, it
should be sent to the Court of small causes within whose jurisdiction it is to be
served.
Similarly, the Recovery Officers jurisdiction is within his state. To serve Notices outside
the state, the certificate has to be transferred to the Recovery Officer of that state.
Rule 25 of CPC: Where the defaulter resides outside India and has no agent in India,
the summons should be sent to him by post, if there is postal communication. Service
can also be effected through political agent or Court.
Rules 27 & 28 of CPC: Where the defaulter is a Public Officer (other than an Officer
of the Indian Military, Navy or Air Force) the Court may send the summons for service
Rule 30 of CPC: A letter, containing the particulars of the summons may be sent in lieu
of a formal summons as a mark of consideration of the rank of the defaulter. Such a
letter may be sent by post or by a special messenger or in any other manner as the
Court may think it fit.
Note: In the discharge of his functions as Recovery Officer under the ESI Act, he may
have to issue a number of Notices, warrants etc. in connection with recovery proceedings
in a case. In order to avoid disputes regarding the validity of certain actions on his
part, it is necessary that due care is taken while preparing the Notices. All such Notices,
warrants, etc. must be duly signed by the Recovery Officer or any other Officer exercising
his power and must bear the seal of his office. Service of Notice is a legal necessity.
Due evidence must, therefore, be available with the Recovery Officer to show that the
requisite Notice/warrant has been properly served and it has duly reached the defaulter
or his authorized agent. In the case of a service by affixation or substituted service,
the original Notice with necessary endorsements must be carefully preserved. The
action of Recovery Officer may be subject to challenge in appellate proceedings or in
writ on the ground of improper or invalid service.
Property defined: - Neither the I.T. Act, 1961 and its Schedules, nor the CPC, nor the
General Clauses Act, 1897, nor does even the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 contain
a comprehensive definition of the term Property. They do, however, contain definitions
of certain types of properties which enable one to comprehend the connotations and
denotations of the term property. Movable and immovable property is defined in
various statutes in exclusive terminology, i.e. trying to convey the meaning by what
are excluded from the ambit of the term.
Section 22 of the I.T. Act, 1961, which brings to charge income from house property,
talks of Property consisting of any building or lands appurtenant(auxiliary/adjunct)
thereto of which the assessee(defaulter) is the owner. Rule 1(d) of the Schedule II to
the Act, echoing Section 2(13) of the C.P.C., states that movable property includes
growing crops According to section 3(26) of the General Clauses Act, immovable
According to Rule 1(d) of II Schedule of the I.T. Act, movable property includes growing
crops. This definition is identical with section 2(13) of the Civil Procedure Code. According
to section 3(36) of the General Clauses Act, movable property has been defined as,
all property other than immovable property,
According to section 3(26) of the General Clauses Act, immovable property shall
include land, benefits to arise out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently
fastened to anything attached to earth .
Generally speaking, immovable property carries with it the implication that it is attached
to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth.
However, while the factum of the attachment to the earth is an important consideration,
it is by no means the sole consideration. One should look to the degree and nature
of the attachment as well. If a thing is permanently and deeply attached to the earth,
e.g. a building or a pucca shed, and then it is immovable property. If, on the contrary,
a thing is removable and it is necessary to imbed it into or fix it on the earth only
when it is in use, it should not be regarded as immovable property, merely because
A few more decided cases are given below for getting clearer ideas.
An engine stood mounted on cement base and fastened to it by bolt and nuts and it
was held to be movable property.
A tenant of a building erected an ice factory in the premises. Later on, he sold the
property with all the movable parts. It was held the machinery was movable property.
The main machinery was installed on a small cement platform to which it was fixed
by means of bolts at four corners. It was also held in position by being attached to iron
pillars fixed in the ground to a depth of nearly 6 or 7 feet. This was held to be
immovable property.
Hence, the question whether a particular item of property is immovable or not will
have to be answered in the light of the facts and circumstances of each case and the
decision of the Recovery Officer is final.
Another important aspect of the concept of property is that, in law, property does not
merely connote full ownership or proprietorship, but also includes any right or power
in respect of the same, e.g. the right to the occupation of a flat in a tenant co-
operative housing society under the Maharashtra Co-operative Society Act.
Attachment defined: Neither the I.T. Act, 1961 and its Schedules, nor the I.T.C.P.
Rules, nor the CPC defines the term attachment. Whartons Law Lexicon gives the
following meaning to the word attach:
Section 3(26) of the General Clauses Act, Section 2 of the Registration Act and Section
3 of the Transfer of Property Act define Immovable Property. Section 60 of the CPC
lays down that the following properties are liable to attachment:
Land
Houses or other Buildings and the land immediately appurtenant thereof
Goods
Money
Bank Notes
Cheques
Bills of Exchange
Hundies
Government Securities
Bond or other security for moneys
Debts
Shares in a corporation
All other saleable property, movable or immovable belonging to the defaulter,
or over which or the profit of which he has a disposing power, which he may
exercise for his own benefit, whether the same be held in his name or in the
name of any other person in trust for him or on his behalf.
Note:
1. It may be noted that the term property is used in a very wide sense. Even if
a property does not belong to the defaulter, any right or power of the defaulter
in respect of the same which the defaulter may have acquired for his benefit can
Similarly, bonus or gift will not become the property of the donee until actually
paid or the gift is completed, for until this is done the donee will not have
disposing power over it. Thus, a preliminary mortgage decree or a preliminary
decree for the dissolution of the partnership and rendition of accounts is property
capable of attachment. A right to purchase shares or an option to do so is
attachable. So also a Court decree can be attached and sold.
2. Meaning of the term saleable property- The expression saleable property means
saleable at a compulsory court sale and not merely transferable by acts of parties,
e.g. a partners share in the partnership is saleable property, whereas a nomination
in an endowment policy does not constitute property in the hands of the nominee,
as the nominee does not become the owner of the money payable under the
policy till death of insured.
3. Meaning of the debts- the term debts means actual money claim that has
already become due though it may be payable on a future date, and also includes
a share of debts. Money standing to the credit of a subscriber to a Provident
Fund is not an actually existing debt so long as it does not become payable
under the rules. Life insurance policy is debt though payable on the death of the
insured. The only thing to be seen is that the debt should be a perfect and
absolute one and not dependent on a certain contingency to occur. A debt in
order to be attachable, however, need not become payable at once.
The objections must relate to ground that the property is not liable to attachment or
sale. The defaulter must be shown to have disposing interest in the property on the
date of issue of ESICP 2 in case of immovable property and on the date of issue of
ESICP 8 in the case of movable property of attachment.
The Recovery Officer can disallow the claim, reject the objections or release the property,
wholly or partly, from attachment, depending upon the outcome of the investigation.
The Recovery Officer need not conduct any investigation if, in his opinion, the claim
or objection was delayed intentionally or unnecessarily.
If the claimant or Objector feels aggrieved by the order of the Recovery Officer, a civil
suit by him can be filed by him can be filed by him as he has exhausted the remedy
available under Rule 11, before continuing with the attachment of the property in
question. In such cases, the third party concerned has, however, no remedy against
the Recovery Officers decision to attach it, except through a suit filed in the court for
a declaration that the plaintiff was the owner of the property which had been wrongly
held to be belonging to the defaulter. However attachment of property of alleged
benamidar where the Recovery Officer has not led evidence to prove benami nature
of property is invalid.
Properties which are exempted from attachment are detailed in the proviso to Sec. 60
of the CPC. It has to be noted that the exemptions are mandatory. Such properties
cannot be subjected to attachment even with the consent of the defaulter. This position
has been clarified statutorily by the insertion of sub-sec (1A) in sec.60 of the CPC by
the CPC Amendment Act of 1976.
Houses and other building with the material and sites thereof and the land
immediately appurtenant thereto and necessary for their enjoyment, and
The necessary wearing apparel, cooking vessels, beds and bedding of the
defaulter, his wife and children, and such personal ornaments as in accordance
with religious usage cannot be parted with by any woman. Cooking vessels
would include not only those in which food is actually cooked but also
include items like thali, gagra etc. The Mangalsutra or other ornaments on
the person of the defaulters wife which constitute her stridhan cannot be
attached. It may be noted that all articles of personal use, whether or not
actually brought into use, are exempt.
Books of account
A mere right to sue for damage. This includes a right to sue for Mesne
profits (Mesne profits are profits derived from land while in wrongful
possession.) which cannot be attached. Insolvents right to sue for contribution
is not exempt
Any right of personal service, right of shebiat to perform service and right
to receive offering at a temple is exempt. Money due to a firm of Managing
Agents from the company does not, however, constitute a right of personal
service
Salary to the extent of the first four hundred and two thirds of the remainder
in execution of any decree other than a decree for maintenance ( in the
case of decree for maintenance only one third of the salary is exempt)
Pay and allowance of a person to whom the Air Force Act, 1950 or the
Army Act, 1950 or the Navy Act 1950 or the Navy Act, 1957 applies
All compulsory Deposits and other sums in or derived from any fund to
which the Provident Funds Act, 1925 for the time being applies in so far
as they are declared by the said Act not to be liable to attachment.
All deposits and other sums in or derived from any funds to which the
Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 for the time being applies in so far as they
are declared by the said Act as not to be liable to attachment.
All money payable under a policy of insurance on the life of the defaulter.
Where the defaulter is a person liable for the payment of land revenue,
any movable property which, under any law for the time being applicable
to him, is exempt from sale for the recovery of an arrears for such revenue.
Interest for life does not give disposing power and is not attachable.
Anticipatory attachment of the rights and interest under an inchoate (not
fully formed or developed) award is, however, not property. So also doors
and windows fixed to the walls of a house having no separate existence are
not property and cannot be attached.
Right to worship; right of residence; articles with the auctioneer; life policy
assigned; future rent; future salary; money falling due on a future date; money
due from purchaser before registering the documents; defaulters wifes stridhan;
sewing machine of a tailor; paraphernalia of a soap factory; rewards for personal
(a) Such accrued interest up to date of Recovery together with the amount of
contribution, damages or other sum to which the certificate relates as is payable
in accordance with the provisions of the ESI Act.
(i) The service of Notice on the defaulter to pay the arrears and of warrants
and other processes, and
Note: The Recovery officer should carefully add all the incidental expenses incurred
and recover the entire amount. Generally the following types of expenditures
would fall under Cost and Charges, to be recovered:-
(1) Where property is sold in execution of a certificate, there shall vest in the purchaser
merely the right, title and interest of the defaulter at the time of the sale, even
though the property itself be specified.
(2) Where immovable property is sold in execution of a certificate, and such sale
has become absolute, the purchasers right, title and interest shall be deemed
to have vested in him from the time when the property is sold, and not from the
time when the sale becomes absolute.
5.11 Suit against purchaser not maintainable on ground of purchase being made on behalf
of plaintiff (Rule 7 of the Second Schedule):
(1) No suit shall be maintained against any person claiming title under a purchase
certified by the Recovery Officer in the manner laid down in this Schedule, on
the ground that the purchase was made on behalf of the plaintiff or on behalf
of some one through whom the plaintiff claims.
(2) Nothing in this section shall bar a suit to obtain a declaration that the name of
any purchaser certified as aforesaid was inserted in the certificate fraudulently
or without the consent of the real purchaser or interfere with the right of a third
person to proceed against that property, though ostensibly sold to the certified
purchaser, on the ground that it is liable to satisfy a claim of such third person
against the real owner.
(b) if there remains a balance after the adjustment referred to in clause (a),
the same shall be utilized for satisfaction of any other amount recoverable
from the factory/establishment under the ESI Act which may be due on the
date on which the assets were realized; and
(c) the balance, if any, remaining after the adjustments under clauses (a) and
(b) shall be paid to the defaulter.
(2) If the defaulter disputes any adjustment under clause (b) of sub-rule (1), the
Recovery Officer shall determine the dispute.
5.13 General bar to jurisdiction of civil courts, save where fraud alleged (Rule 9 of Second
Schedule):
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, every question arising between the
Recovery Officer and the defaulter or their representatives, relating to the execution,
discharge or satisfaction of a certificate, or relating to the confirmation or setting
aside by an order under this Act of a sale held in execution of such certificate, shall
be determined, not by suit, but by order of the Recovery Officer before whom such
question arises.
Provided that a suit may be brought in a civil court in respect of any such question
upon the ground of fraud.
(1) All such property as is by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), exempted
from attachment and sale in execution of a decree of a civil court shall be
exempt from attachment and sale under this Schedule.
(1) Where any claim is preferred to, or any objection is made to the attachment or
sale of, any property in execution of a certificate, on the ground that such property
is not liable to such attachment or sale, the Recovery Officer shall proceed to
investigate the claim or objection.
(2) Where the property to which the claim or objection applies has been advertised
for sale, the Recovery Officer ordering the sale may postpone it pending the
investigation of the claim or objection, upon such terms as to security or otherwise
as the Recovery Officer shall deem fit.
(a) In the case of immovable property: at the date of the service of the Notice
issued under this Schedule to pay the arrears, he had some interest in, or
was in possession of, the property in question.
(b) In the case of movable property: at the date of the attachment, he had
some interest in, or was in possession of, the property in question.
(4) Where, upon the said investigation, the Recovery Officer is satisfied that, for the
reason stated in the claim or objection such property was not , at the said date,
in the possession of the defaulter or of some person in trust for him or in the
occupancy of a tenant or other person paying rent to him, or that being in the
possession of the defaulter at the said date, it was so in his possession not on
his own account or as his own property, but partly on his own account and partly
on account of some other person, the Recovery Officer shall make an order
releasing the property, wholly or to such extent as he thinks fit, from attachment
or sale.
(5) Where the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the property was, at the said
date, in the possession of the defaulter as his own property and not on
account of any other person, or was in the possession of some other person in
trust for him or in the occupancy of a tenant or other person paying rent to
him, the Recovery Officer shall disallow the claim.
(6) Where a claim or an objection is preferred, the party against whom anorder is
made may institute a suit in a civil court to establish the right which he claims
to the property in dispute, but subject to the result of such suit (if any), the
order of the Recovery Officer shall be conclusive.
Where:
(a) the amount due, with costs and all charges and expenses resulting from the
attachment of any property or incurred in order to hold a sale, are paid to the
Recovery Officer, or
Section 45C of the ESI Act,1948, empowers the Recovery Officer to recover the arrears
by way of attachment and sale of the moveable or immovable property of the factory
or establishment or, as the case may be, the principal, or immediate employer. Further,
Section 45G (5) states that the Director General or any officer of the Corporation may,
if so authorized by the Central Government by general or special order, recover any
arrears of amount due from a factory or an establishment or, as the case may be, from
the principal or immediate employer by distraint and sale of its or his movable property
in the manner laid down in the Third Schedule to the Income-Tax Act, 1961.
However, the attachment and sale of movable and immovable property may be made
by such person (Social Security Officer (Recovery)) as the Recovery Officer may from
time to time direct (Rule 13 of Second Schedule).
5.18 Defaulting purchaser answerable for loss on resale (Rule 14 of Second Schedule):
Any deficiency of price which may happen on a resale by reason of the purchasers
default, and all expenses attending such resale, shall be certified to the Recovery
Officer by the officer holding the sale, and shall, at the instance of either the Recovery
Officer or the defaulter, be recoverable from the defaulting purchaser under the procedure
provided by this Schedule:
Provided that no such application shall be entertained unless filed within fifteen days
from the date of resale.
(1) The Recovery Officer may, in his discretion, adjourn any sale hereunder to a
specified day and hour, and the officer conducting any such sale may, in his
discretion, adjourn the sale, recording his reasons for such adjournment.
Provided that, where the sale is made in, or within the precincts of, the office
of the Recovery Officer, no such adjournment shall be made without the leave
of the Recovery Officer.
(2) Where a sale of immovable property is adjourned under sub-rule (1) for a longer
period than one calendar month, a fresh proclamation of sale under this Schedule
shall be made unless the defaulter consents to waive it.
(3) Every sale shall be stopped if, before the lot is knocked down, the arrears and
costs (including the costs of the sale) are tendered to the officer conducting the
sale, or proof is given to his satisfaction that the amount of such arrears and
costs has been paid to the Recovery Officer who ordered the sale.
(1) Where a Notice has been served on a defaulter under rule 2, the defaulter or
his representative in interest shall not be competent to mortgage, charge, lease,
or otherwise deal with any property belonging to him except with permission of
the Recovery Officer, nor shall any civil court issue any process against such
property in execution of a decree for the payment of money.
(2) Where an attachment has been made under this Schedule, any private transfer
or delivery of the property attached or any interest therein and any payment to
the defaulter of any debt, dividend or other money contrary to such attachment,
shall be void as against all claims enforceable under the attachment.
No officer or other person having any duty to perform in connection with any sale
under this Schedule shall, either directly or indirectly, bid for, acquire or attempt to
acquire any interest in the property sold.
No sale under this Schedule shall take place on a Sunday or other general holiday
recognized by the State Government or on any day which has been notified by the
State Government to be a local holiday for the area in which the sale is to take place.
Any officer authorized to attach or sell any property or to arrest the defaulter or
charged with any duty to be performed in this regard may apply to the officer in
charge of the nearest police station for such assistance as may be necessary in the
discharge of his duties, and the authority to whom such application is made shall
depute a sufficient number of police officers for furnishing such assistance.
In the case of attachment of property by actual seizure, the Social Security Officer
(Recovery) shall, after attachment of the property, prepare an inventory of all the
property attached, specifying in it the place where it is lodged or kept, and shall
forward the same to the Recovery Officer and a copy of the inventory shall be delivered
by the Social Security Officer (Recovery) to the defaulter.
The attachment by seizure shall not be excessive, that is to say, the property attached
shall be as nearly as possible proportionate to the amount specified in the warrant (in
case of movable property).
Note:- Though in case of movable property the value of attached items should not be
disproportionately higher than the default amount, the same is not applicable to
immovable property. In case of immovable property, though attachment can be of
higher value, sale shall be restricted limited to the dues outstanding (only portion of
land/building equivalent to dues should be disposed).
Attachment by seizure shall be made after sunrise and before sunset and not otherwise.
The SSO (Recovery) may break open any inner or other door or window of any building
and enter any building in order to seize any movable property if the SSO (Recovery)
has reasonable grounds to believe that such buildings contain movable property liable
to seize under the warrant and the SSO (Recovery) has notified his authority and
intention of breaking open if admission is not given. He shall, however, give a reasonable
opportunity to women to withdraw.
The proviso to sub-rule (1) of Rule 11 of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act,
1961 is designed to put a stop to frivolous claims which are made with the ulterior
motive of delaying the proceedings, as also where the claims/objection has the effect
of unnecessarily delaying the proceedings. In either case, it is mandatory that the
Recovery Officer shall not make any investigation to the claim.
When the Recovery Officer decides to investigate the claim, and the property in the
meantime has been put up for sale, he may postpone the sale pending the investigation,
upon such terms of security or otherwise, as the Recovery Officer may deem fit. The
security obviously has to be furnished by the claimant (objector).
Where a proclamation for the sale of a property has been made, the Recovery Officer
may postpone it pending investigation of the claim. The words may postpone have
been interpreted differently by the High Courts. (The Madras High Court held that the
Tax Recovery Officer is bound to postpone the sale. In the case of Baldev Prasad vs
Union of India, the Allahabad High Court however, held, that the TRO in a property
case can decline to postpone the sale in respect of the claim or objection if circumstances
so warrant. But the discretion conferred on the Recovery officer by Rule11(2) of the
Second Schedule to postpone the sale does not authorize him to reject the claim on
the ground that the terms to which he put the claimant (objector) for postponing the
auction have not been complied with. Under the Rule, he has to investigate the claim
and decide on the basis of evidence adduced by the claimant.
The defaulter or his representative can raise an objection that properties are exempt
from attachment under Rule 10 of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act 196I
at any time before the sale. But once the sale is confirmed it is not open to any body
to raise objection, except in the case where the defaulter or his representative is not
aware of attachment or sale proceedings.
Governing Provisions:
The Rules for Attachment and sale of movable property are provided in Part II of the
Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act 1961, viz: Rules 20 to 36 deals with Attachment and
Rule 37 to 47 deals with the sale of movable property attached. Besides, the IT (CP) Rules,
1962, viz: Rule 15 to 19, 23 to 35 and 36 to 38 provide the Rules for implementation of the
Second and Third Schedule, including the Rules relating to maintenance and custody of
attached movable property, sale of the same, disposal of sale proceeds, delivery of property
sold and execution of document or endorsement of Negotiable Instrument or share in a
Corporation.
The Recovery Officer shall issue a warrant of Attachment of movable property in form
No ESICP-3 authorizing the SSO (Recovery) to serve a copy of the warrant on the
defaulter and after such service if the defaulter fails to pay the amount due, to proceed
to attach the movable property of the said defaulter until further orders from him/
her.
The warrant:
should be in writing,
should be signed by the Recovery Officer,
should specify the name of the defaulter and the amount to be realized,
should state the place where the movables should be attached,
should contain the name and designation of the person who is to execute the
warrant and also the date by which it is to be executed.
6.2 Service of copy of warrant on the defaulter: (Rule 21 of the Second Schedule)
If, after the service of the warrant, the defaulter pays the arrears forthwith, there is
no need to continue to attach the movable property of the defaulter. The word forthwith
has been described as as expeditiously as possible in the Code of Civil Procedure. If
the defaulter wants to pay the amount, say, in an hour or two or any period of time
that appears short and reasonable, by borrowing necessary amounts, he must be
given time to do so. If he does not pay the amount within a reasonable time, say one
or two hours after the service of the warrant, the SSO (Recovery) shall attach the
movable property in the possession of the defaulter by Actual Seizure.
Where the movable property (other than agricultural produce) is in the defaulters
possession, the Attachment is to be made by Actual Seizure and the property will
be kept in the custody of the officer himself or his subordinate. The rule also provides
for immediate sale where the property is one which may be subject to speedy decay
or where the cost of keeping it in custody is likely to exceed its value. Where the
(Actual Seizure explained: The movable properties (other than agricultural produce)
covered by warrant procedure are attached by Actual Seizure. In its technical sense,
the term Actual Seizure simply means taking physical possession, i.e. dispossessing
the defaulter of the movable property, and nothing more. It does not mean application
of force or violence on either the defaulters property or his person. Actual Seizure
includes constructive seizure also. Where a warrant of Attachment is executed by
affixing it to the outer door of the warehouse in which goods belonging to the judgment
debtor are stored, a case of Constructive seizure arises.)
1. When the defaulter tenders the cash (Coin or Currency Notes) available with
him, the question of Attachment of cash does not arise. A receipt for the amount
must then be given to the defaulter and the other movable property proceeded
against for the recovery of the balance of arrears. If the cash is not tendered, the
cash also should be attached and the Recovery Officer shall issue an order in
Form ESI CP-15 for payment to the Authorized Officer for credit to ESI account.
The attached Govt. or other securities shall also be sent for the safe custody to
the nearest branch of the authorized Bank.
2. Attachment should be commenced only after sunrise and completed before sunset.
5. Powers of SSO (Recovery) under Rule 23 of the Second Schedule are only limited
to Actual Seizures of movable properties, and he has no power to search. The
Attachment should be made to the extent of covering the amount mentioned in
the warrant, since under Rule 34 of the Second Schedule, the Attachment by
seizure should not be excessive.
6. The powers conferred on the SSO (Recovery) is limited to breaking open the
doors and windows of the building, in order to seize movable property if the
officer has reasonable grounds to believe that such building contains movable
property that can be seized but it does not extend to the doors of almirahs, etc.
found in the premises. If necessary, he may attach a locked almirah, but cannot
break open its doors.
8. Where valuables like diamond and gold jewellery and silver articles are attached,
it is necessary to get them valued by a reputed goldsmith or jeweller. The valuation
may be in the form of a certificate. The fact that the articles were got valued,
and the value assigned to each of the article must invariably be mentioned in
the panchnama. The attached bullion, jewellery or other valuables shall be sent
for the safe custody to the nearest branch of the authorized Bank.
9. The attached articles have then to be removed either to the Office of the Recovery
Officer or to a place for safe custody as deemed fit by the department. The
expenses incurred on transportation are to be paid by the defaulter and in case
he fails to pay the same, the department may defray the expenses and recover
the same from the defaulter by adjustment from out of the money realized on
sale of the attached articles.
11. The SSO (Recovery), as the attaching official, is personally responsible for the
safe custody of the articles attached by him. He should, therefore, personally
ensure that the articles are safely brought to the Office of Recovery officer or to
the place where the Department has made arrangements for their safe keeping.
Articles subject to speedy and natural decay, milk, egg, vegetables, etc., should
be sold at once. If necessary, these articles if precious they can be thought of,
to be insured to ensure the safety of the attached property.
12. Sometimes, the defaulter may refuse to receive a copy of the warrant or, to
evade service of the warrant he may run away from the premises. In such cases
it is better to affix a copy of the warrant on a conspicuous part of the house of
the defaulter or the business premises as the case may be and to proceed with
the Attachment.
13. Sometimes, the SSO (Recovery) may meet with resistance when he tries to remove
the attached articles from the premises of the defaulter, for e.g. the defaulter
may lock the outer door or gate, thus preventing the SSO (Recovery) from going
out. In such cases, the SSO (Recovery) has the powers to break open the door
or the gate. This, he should do after giving Notice to the defaulter, either orally
or in writing. Wherever the SSO (Recovery) apprehends danger, he should seek
Police assistance (Appendix 4). It is always prudent to give advance intimation
to the nearest jurisdictional Police Station before reaching the location of
Attachment, especially when breaking open of the premises is contemplated. In
all such cases, a panchnama should be got drawn by two respectable witnesses
of the locality. In case of physical resistance, a complaint should be lodged with
the Police.
15. Sometime, a person other than the defaulter may claim to be the owner of the
article attached. The SSO (Recovery) has no authority to decide such claims, and
no discretion to release the article. The SSO (Recovery) should record the fact
that such a claim was made, and direct the claimant to file an objection petition.
The Panchnama should invariably reflect the above development.
16. While attaching movable property, the SSO (Recovery) may come across some
property in the illegal possession of the defaulter, viz: stolen property, gold,
antiquities & art treasures, etc. After Attachment, the concerned authorities -
Custom & Excise department for gold, Director General Archaeological Survey of
India & the Superintending Archaeologist for antiques & Art treasures will have
to be contacted. Whether or not the Department can attach and sell the articles
will be determined by those authorities. If they decide to confiscate the articles
under the respective enactments, the question of attaching them does not arise.
The Archaeological Department, particularly, may decide to acquire the articles
on payment of compensation, in which event the compensation will have to be
attached u/s 31 (ITCP 10). Needless to add, stolen articles, if attached, must be
reported to the Police authorities for further action. There is no question the
Corporation realizing anything towards arrears in such cases.
17. The SSO (Recovery) should be methodical & meticulous in his work. It is very
important to know the location of the jurisdictional police station and the phone
number of the police station should be available with him. A check-list of things
which the SSO (Recovery) has to carry with him is given below:-
6.5 Attachment of agricultural produce and growing crops: (Rule 24 and 25 of the Second
Schedule)
Rule 24: where the property to be attached is agricultural produce, the Attachment
shall be made by affixing a copy of the warrant of Attachment:
b) On the threshing floor where such produce has been cut or gathered.
c) On the outer door or other conspicuous part of the house in which the defaulter
resides.
d) If necessary, and with the permission of the Recovery Officer at the business
premises or place where known to have last resided or carried on business or
worked for gain.
1) Recovery Officer shall make such arrangements for the custody, watching, tending,
cutting and gathering thereof as he may deem sufficient.
2) The Recovery Officer in the order of Attachment or in any subsequent order may
permit the defaulter to tend to the crop and, if the defaulter fails to do all or
any of the acts necessary for maturing or preserving, any person appointed by
the Recovery Officer in this behalf may, subject to like conditions, do all or any
of the acts, and the costs incurred by such person shall be recoverable from the
defaulter as if they were included in the certificate.
5) Where a growing crop by its nature cannot be stored, it should not be attached
at any time less than 20 days before the time it is likely to be fit for being cut
or gathered.
Note: Prior to Attachment of agricultural produce and growing crops, the S.S.O. (Recovery
Officer) should first contact the Karanam (Patwari) of the village, obtain from him the
full particulars of the defaulters land and locate the land, if need be, with the help
of the village map. The Karanam (Patwari) could be made a witness in the Panchnama.
6.6 Attachment of Debt not secured by Negotiable Instrument, Share in a corporation and
other movable property not in the possession of the defaulter, excepting property in
the custody of any Court (Rule 26 of the Second Schedule):
A copy of such order may be sent to the creditor, another copy to the
debtor and the third copy of such order shall be affixed on some conspicuous
part of the Recovery Officers office.
A debt may be attached under this rule only if the defaulter is the full
owner of the same and not if he is co-owner in which case the Attachment
is to be made under Rule 28
The situs of the debt will determine which Recovery Officer has jurisdiction
over it and only the Jurisdictional Recovery Officer can attach it. In the
mean time, a prohibitory order can be issued to the defaulter only.
Where the garnishee denies his liability, the Recovery Officer may investigate
the truth or otherwise of the denial.
It is not necessary that the corporation or the company in which the defaulter
holds shares must be located within the jurisdiction of the Recovery Officer
issuing the prohibitory order. What is essential is that, at the time of the
Attachment, the share should stand in the name of the defaulter in the
books of the company. A Deed of transfer executed by a defaulter will have
no effect on the Attachment, if the Deed is defective in that it does not
comply with the formalities prescribed in that regard by the Indian Companies
Act and the Articles of Association of the company.
In the case of movable property of the defaulter not in his possession, e.g.
pledged articles, etc., the Recovery Officer shall issue a prohibitory order
in form ESICP 6 to the person who is in immediate possession of the
property prohibiting him from delivering the said property to any person.
A copy of the order should also be served on the defaulter, prohibiting him
from receiving the property. Another copy of the order shall also be affixed
on the Notice Board of Recovery Officer,
(2) Copies of the prohibitory orders in form ESICP 4, 5 and 6 shall be served/ affixed
as detailed under each sub head above.
(3) A debtor prohibited under clause (i) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 26 of the Second
Schedule of the I.T.Act, 1961 may pay the amount of his debt to the Recovery
Officer, and such payment shall discharge him as effectually as payment to the
party entitled to receive the same.
A Decree of a Civil Court for the payment of money, or for sale in enforcement of a
mortgage or charge passed in favour of the defaulter can be attached by the issue of
a Notice of Attachment by the Recovery Officer in form ESICP 7 to the Civil Court
requesting it to stay the execution of the Decree. Where the Recovery Officer has
attached the defaulters money-Decree or mortgage Decree, the Recovery Officer or
the defaulter can apply to the Court, which passed the Decree, for the execution
thereof. As soon as the Court receives the application, the Court shall proceed to
execute the attached Decree, and apply the net proceeds in satisfaction of the certificate.
The attached Decree can be realized by execution only, and cannot be sold in execution.
Under sub rule (3) of Rule 27, the Recovery Officer is deemed to be the representative
of the defaulter (holder of the attached Decree). He shall, therefore, be entitled to
execute such attached Decree in the same manner as the Decree holder can. It should
be understood that the Recovery Officer is not the legal representative of the defaulter.
He is the representative only for the execution of the Decree. He is entitled to receive
payments from the judgment debtor out of Court as that is one of the recognized
modes of execution, but he cannot accept in settlement less than what is due. He
cannot adjust the Decree in any manner he likes. If the attached Decree is reversed
on appeal, the Recovery Officer has to make restitution to the defaulter if he has
already realized the money due under the Decree.
6.8 Attachment of share of interest of the defaulter in movable property: (Rule 28 of the
Second Schedule)
The Rule provides for Attachment of defaulters share of interest in movable property
belonging to the defaulter and others in co-ownership, since such a share cannot be
Note: If, in any case, the property which is otherwise attachable under Rule 28 is
wrongly attached under Rule 23, such a wrong Attachment ought to be released under
sub rule (4) of rule 11 of Second Schedule, and a fresh order of Attachment of such
property should be made under Rule 28.
The rule applies to the Attachment of salary of employees of government and local
authorities, subject to the limitations provided in Section 60 of the Code of Civil
Procedure. This rule is not applicable to the salary received by private employees;
such salaries are not debt and cannot, therefore, be attached before they become
due and payable. As stated earlier, salary to the extent of Rs.400 and one-third of the
remainder is exempt from Attachment. The Attachment of salary will be effected by
issue of an order by the Recovery Officer in form ESICP 12-A to the disbursing officer
requiring him to withhold the salary subject to the aforesaid limit, and remit the
amount to the Recovery Officer in pursuance of the Attachment order. A copy of this
order may also be served on the Government servant concerned so that he can also
know that his salary has been kept under Attachment.
The rule prescribes the procedure for Attachment of Negotiable Instruments, e.g.
promissory notes, bills of exchange including hundi or cheques. Since Negotiable
Instruments can change hands merely by delivery or endorsement, Attachment has to
be made by Actual Seizure. Once the Negotiable Instrument is seized, Notice of the
fact of the Attachment to the debtor or promisor is sufficient protection against his
paying the amount due to the promise or anyone else. The order of Attachment is
issued by the Recovery Officer in form ESICP 9 authorizing the SSO (Recovery) to see
and seize the Negotiable Instruments and prepare an inventory. A copy of the inventory
should be handed over to the defaulter. Panchnama must also be drawn up. Copy of
the order of Attachment should be served on the defaulter and also on the concerned
debtors, so that they may not pay the amount to the promisee or anyone else excepting
the Recovery Officer.
Note:(i) An anticipatory Attachment made before the money has reached the Public
Officer is invalid.
(ii) Where the Court has already passed a rateable distribution order, property
cannot be attached, but it can be issued only after it reaches the hands of
the Public Officer.
(iv) The amount standing to the credit of the subscriber in a provident fund by
way of compulsory deposit cannot be attached ( by virtue of section 60 of
the Civil Procedure Code). But, where a cheque for the credited amount is
issued on a specified Bank at the instructions of the subscriber, the amount
loses its character of compulsory deposit and can be attached.
(vi) A Court, as compared to a Public Officer, may go into the question of title
or priority but a Public Officer cannot do so.
(2) The Recovery Officer may make an order for the sale of the defaulter partners
interest in the partnership business. Sub-rule 32(2) gives the other persons
(other partners) a right to redeem at any time the interest of the defaulter
partner, which has been charged. In case, the shares of the defaulter partner are
put up for sale, the other partners are given the option to purchase the same.
(a) Rule 33: Where an Attachment is being made by Actual Seizure, the Officer shall
prepare an inventory of all the property attached, specifying in it the place
where it is lodged or kept, and shall forward the same to the Recovery Officer.
A copy of the inventory is to be given to the defaulter.
(b) Rule 34: The Attachment made is expected to be as near as possible in value to
the amount specified in the warrant and should not be excessive.
(c) Rule 35: Attachment by seizure may only be made between sunrise & sunset.
(d) Rule36: It gives the authority to the SSO (Recovery) to break open any inner or
outer door or window of any building and enter any building in order to seize
any moveable property if the Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that
such building contains movable property liable to seizure and the officer has
notified his authority and his intention of breaking open if admission is not
given. Female occupants must be given all reasonable opportunity to withdraw.
With the Attachment of the movable properties of the defaulter, the stage is set for
issuing a Proclamation of sale.
The next step the Recovery Officer takes is to proceed with the sale of property
attached. This can be done through the SSO (Recovery) or through a professional
The Recovery Officer shall issue a Proclamation of sale of movable property in form
ESICP 17. The Proclamation shall be in the language of the district of the intended
sale, specifying the time and the place of sale and whether the sale is subject to
confirmation or not. A copy of the Proclamation shall be served on the defaulter.
(1) The Proclamation of sale of movable property shall be made by beat of drum or
other customary mode. This apart, announcements are to be made through
loudspeakers in public places, advertisements in local vernacular newspapers,
etc.
(i) In the village in which the property was seized, or if the property was
seized in a town or city, in the locality in which it was seized; and
(b) In the case of property attached otherwise than by Actual Seizure, in such
place as the Recovery Officer may direct.
The date of sale of movables should be so fixed that there is an interval of at least
15 days between the date of affixture of a copy of the Proclamation in the office of
the Recovery Officer and the date of sale. The time interval can be shortened it the
following cases:
(b) The property is subject to speedy and natural decay , i.e perishable items; or
(c) The expenses of keeping the property in custody is likely to exceed its value, e.g.
livestock.
(1) Where the property to be sold is agricultural produce, the sale shall be held:-
(a) If such produce is a growing crop , on or near the land on which such crop
has grown, or
(b) If such produce has been cut or gathered, at or near the threshing floor or
place of treading out grain or the like, or fodder-stack or in which it is
deposited.
Provided, that the Recovery Officer may direct the sale to be held at the nearest
place of public resort, if he is of the opinion that the produce is likely to sell to
a greater advantage.
(a) A fair price, in the estimation of the person holding the sale, is not offered
for it, and
(b) The owner of the produce, or a person authorized to act on his behalf,
applies to have the sale postponed till the next day or, if a market is held
at the place of sale, the next market day the sale shall be postponed
accordingly, and shall be then completed, whatever price may be offered
for the produce.
(1) If the growing crop is such that it can be stored after its harvest, the date of sale
shall be fixed only after the crop has been cut or gathered and is ready for
storing.
(2) If the crop is such that it is not capable of being stored after it is cut, or it would
be more advantageous, if it is sold in an unripe stage, the crop may be sold
before it is harvested, and the purchaser shall be entitled to enter on the land
and do all that is necessary to tend, cut or gather the crop.
6.20 Mode of sale Sale to be by auction: (Rule 43 of the Second Schedule) Movable
property shall be sold by Public Auction in one or more lots as the officer conducting
the sale may consider being feasible. The Recovery Officer may authorize any of the
following persons to conduct the sale:-
(i) Any person including his subordinate in office (under Rule 13 of I.T.C.P.Rules
1962). The SSO (Recovery) is delegated powers by the Recovery Officer to attach
and sale movable and immovable property in the course of recovery proceedings.
(ii) Any person (other than his subordinate) through whom the Recovery Officer
feels it would be more advantageous to get the auction conducted (under Rule
17 of I.T.C.P.Rules 1962).The remuneration payable to such person shall be fixed
by the Recovery Officer and the same shall be deemed to be the costs of the
sale.
(iii) A broker for selling Negotiable Instruments or share in companies. The remuneration
payable to such person shall be fixed by the Recovery Officer and the same shall
be deemed to be the costs of the sale.
Where selling only a part of the property satisfies the certificate amount together
with interest and all costs, charges etc., the sale of the remaining lots should be
immediately stopped.
Nothing in the Second Schedule requires a bid to be accepted by the Recovery Officer
before a contract of sale can be held to be complete.
In fact, Rule 18 of the I.T.C.P.Rules, 1962, empowers the Recovery Officer to fix a
Reserve Price in respect of any property other than agricultural produce, to be sold,
and to order that any bid shall be accepted only on condition that it is not less than
the Reserve Price.
(ii) The Recovery Officer in his discretion has not rejected the bid on the ground
that:-
1) Where movable property is sold by Public Auction, the price of each lot shall be
paid at the time of sale or as soon after as the officer holding the sale directs
and in default of payment, the property shall forth with be resold.(in other
words, the amount for which the property is auctioned should be paid at the
place and time of sale lest the sale becomes invalid and the property can be
resold)
2) On payment of the purchase money, the officer holding the sale shall grant/
issue a certificate of sale in form ESICP 19 specifying the property purchased,
the price paid and the name of the purchaser and the sale shall become absolute.
Note:(i) Where the purchaser defaults in payment and any loss arises in resale, the
defaulting purchaser is answerable for such loss. (Rule 14 of the Second
Schedule).
(ii) Under Rule 19 of the ITCP Rules, 1962, the officer conducting sale shall pay
the entire amount received by him from the (bidder) purchaser of the
property to the ESI FUND A/C N0.1 forthwith and submit a full report of
the sale proceedings to the Recovery officer.
No irregularity in publishing and conducting the sale of movable property shall vitiate
the sale, but any person sustaining substantial injury by reason of such irregularity at
the hand of any other person* may institute a suit in a civil Court against him for
compensation, or (if such other person is the purchaser) for the recovery of the
specific property and for compensation in default of such recovery.
(*at the hands of any other person: where the movable property not belonging to the
defaulter is sold, the real owner may sue the Recovery Officer under this rule.)
6.24 Order for payment of coin or currency notes to the Authorised Officer:(Rule 47 of the
Second Schedule)
Where the property attached is coin or currency notes, the Recovery Officer may, at
any time during the continuance of the Attachment, issue an order for payment to the
Authorized Officer the coins and currency notes attached in form ESICP 15 inter alia
that such coins or notes shall be credited to Corporation (ESI-Fund A/c No1).
Note:(i) Materials needed by SSO (Recovery) for Proclamation: The SSO should carry
the following materials while setting out to make a Proclamation;
Proclamation Notices;
Gum bottle;
Panchnama forms for issue of Proclamation;
Drum beater with drum; and
Two witnesses.
A copy of the Proclamation (in the local language) was served on the
defaulter;
Drum was beaten or announcement made through loudspeaker;
The contents of the Proclamation Form were read; and
A copy of the Proclamation Form was affixed on a conspicuous part
of the property.
The panchnama should also record all significant incidents that took
place during the Proclamation.
After the Proclamation has been made, the SSO (Recovery) should return
to the office and affix a copy of the Proclamation on the Notice Board of
the office of the Recovery Officer and submit a detailed report to the
Recovery Officer.
Section 45C of the ESI Act provides for recovery of arrears of contribution, interest
and damages by several modes of recovery. One such mode is by Attachment and sale of the
Immovable property of the factory or establishment or, as the case may be, the principal or
immediate employer.
Governing Provisions:
The Rules for Attachment and sale of Immovable property are provided in Part III of
the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act 1961, viz: Rule 48 to 51 deals with Attachment
of Immovable property and Rule 52 to 68 A deals with the sale of Immovable property.
Besides, the IT(CP) Rules,1962, viz: Rule 15 to 21 and 39 to 47 provide the Rules for
implementation of the Second and Third Schedule, including the Rules relating to maintenance
and custody of attached immovable property, sale of the same, disposal of sale proceeds,
delivery of property sold and execution of document /registration of sale etc. This process
of attaching and selling the immovable property starts when the defaulter fails to pay the
arrears as specified in the Notice issued in Form ESICP 2 even after expiry of 15 days from
the date of service of such Notice.
(i) prohibiting the defaulter from either transferring the property, or charging it in
any way, and
(ii) prohibiting all persons from taking any benefit under such transfer or charge.
Note:(1) Rule 16 of the second schedule of the IT Act comes into play as soon as the
Notice in ESI CP 12 is served. Not only the defaulter is prohibited from
encumbering any of his properties by mortgage, charge, lease or otherwise
(2) Rule 16(2) further amplifies that once an Attachment has been made any
private transfer or delivery of the property attached or of any interest
therein and any payment to the defaulter of any debt , dividend or other
moneys contrary to such Attachment shall be void as against all claims
enforceable under the Attachment.
(i) The order of Attachment should be proclaimed by drum beat at some place on
or adjacent to the property attached. (Omission to make proclamation by drumbeat
would amount to material irregularity). This also has to be witnessed by two
persons as laid down in the CPC. The order of Attachment should also be proclaimed
by other customary mode (advertisement in local dailies etc.).
(ii) A copy of the order must be affixed on a conspicuous part of the property, as
well as on the Notice board of the office of the Recovery Officer. In case where
several properties are sought to be attached under one order, affixture of the
copy of the order of Attachment on one or some of the properties would not
be sufficient to effect a valid Attachment of all the properties. In such cases,
a copy of the order should be affixed on each separate property.
7.4 Attachment to relate back from the date of service of Notice: (Rule 51 of the Second
Schedule)
Where any Immovable property is attached under this Schedule, the Attachment shall
relate back to, and take effect from, the date on which the Notice to pay the arrears,
issued under this Schedule, was served on the defaulter.
The Recovery Officer shall issue a Notice for setting a sale proclamation in form ESICP
18 informing the defaulter as under:-
1. that the immovable properties which have been attached or such portion thereof
as may seem necessary to satisfy the Certificate, shall be sold.
Note:(i) The Recovery Officer shall simultaneously issue a warrant of sale in form
ESICP 16 authorizing the SSO (Recovery)/Government Auctioneer to Auction
the property after giving 30 days Notice by affixing the same in the Office
of the Recovery Officer, and after making due proclamation.
(ii) The Notice for setting a sale proclamation shall be in the local language of
the district.
The Recovery Officer shall issue a proclamation of sale of immovable property in Form
ESICP 17. The proclamation should be in the local language and a copy should be
served on the defaulter. The proclamation shall state the time and place of sale, and
shall specify as accurately as possible:-
(a) the property to be sold. The exact description of the property must be given, viz.
in case of land, the description will include the survey no., the area, the revenue,
if any, assessed on it, etc. In the case of a building, the door no., the plinth area,
type of construction, number of rooms, the rent it fetches must be supplied so
that a lay man must be able to judge the nature and value of the property
intended for sale. Only the defaulters properties should be described in the
proclamation;
(b) the revenue, if any, assessed upon the property or any part thereof;
(c) the amount for recovery (arrears including interest, costs and expenses) of which
the sale is ordered;
(cc) the Reserve Price, if any, below which the property may not be sold (also see
Para 18.4(d))
(ii) The Recovery Officer may fix the Reserve Price in respect of any property,
other than agriculture produce, to be sold and order that any bid shall be
accepted only on condition that it is not less than the said Reserve Price
(Rule 18 of IT (CP) Rules, 1962).
1. every proclamation for the sale of immovable property shall be made on or near
such property by beat of drum or other customary mode, and a copy of the
proclamation shall be affixed on a conspicuous part of the property and also
upon a conspicuous part of the Office of the Recovery Officer.
2. where the Recovery Officer so directs, such proclamation shall also be published
in the Official Gazette or in a local newspaper, or both and the cost of such
publication shall be deemed to be the cost of the sale.
3. where the property is divided into lots for the purpose of being sold separately,
it shall not be necessary to make a separate proclamation for each lot, unless
proper Notice of the sale cannot, in the opinion of the Recovery Officer, be
given.
No sale of Immovable Property under this schedule shall, without the consent in
writing of the defaulter, take place until after the expiry of at least thirty days calculated
from the date on which a copy of the proclamation of sale has been affixed on the
property or in the Office of the Recovery Officer, whichever is later. This means there
should be at least 30 days gap between the date of affixture of the proclamation and
the actual date of proposed sale.
i) The sale shall be by public Auction in favour of the highest bidder and subject
to confirmation by the Recovery Officer. The Reserve Price is to be specified as
ii) A bidding sheet showing the name of each bidder and his bid amount is to be
maintained. (a bidders list indicates the names of the bidders, their age &
profession, & the amounts deposited by them. The bidders signatures are obtained
on the list & the particulars of the public Auctions are stated at top of the list).
If the Auction does not come to an end, it can be adjourned to another day. If
the property is knocked down, the S.S.O. (Recovery) should make an open
announcement to the bidders and record an endorsement alongwith the signatures
of two witnesses, preferably the two bidders who were not successful.
iii) If the Auction sale of property for which the Reserve Price is not reached by any
of the bids and therefore sale has to be postponed, the Authorised Officer or
any officer authorized by the Director General, ESIC., in this behalf may accept
at subsequent sale, bid for property on behalf of the Corporation under Rule
59(1) of the Second Schedule. Where the Authorised Officer or any other officer
authorized by the Director General, ESIC., under Rule 59(1) is declared to be the
purchaser of the property at any subsequent sale, nothing contained in Rule 57
shall apply to the case & the amount of the purchase price shall be adjusted
towards the amount specified in the Certificate. This is with a view to thwarting
the defaulters attempt to manage that adequate bids are not forthcoming by
bidders in the Auction (Rule 68A of the Second Schedule).
iv) The successful (highest) bidder should deposit 25% of the purchase price to the
officer conducting the sale. Failure to do so could result in its resale at once. The
balance purchase price should be paid to the Recovery Officer within 15 days of
the date of Auction sale [Rule 57(2)]. Failure would entail forfeiture of the deposit
paid at the Auction and resale of the property in question. The Auction sale is
subject to confirmation by the Recovery Officer to be made after a period of 30
days.
vi) When the Auction is over, the SSO (Recovery) shall forthwith pay the entire
amount received by him/her to ESI fund A/C No.1 and submit a full report of the
entire proceedings, indicating the highest bidder and bid amount. (Rule 19 of
ITCP Rules,1962)
7.10 Deposit by purchaser and resale on default: (Rule 57 of the Second Schedule)
2. the full amount of purchase money payable shall be paid by the purchaser to the
Recovery Officer on or before the fifteenth day from the sale of the property.
Note: According to section 10 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, if the fifteenth day
happens to be a closed holiday, the payment can be made on the next day on which
the office of the Recovery Officer is open.
In default of payment within the period mentioned in the preceding rule, the deposit
(25%) may, if the Recovery Officer thinks fit, after defraying the expenses of the sale,
be forfeited to the Corporation, and the property shall be resold, and the defaulting
purchaser shall forfeit all claims to the property or to any part of the sum for which
it may subsequently be sold.
7.12 Authority to bid (Rule 59 of the Second Schedule) for the ESI Corporation:
(1) where the sale of a property, for which a Reserve Price has been specified under
clause (cc) of rule 53, has been postponed for want of a bid of an amount not
less than such Reserve Price, it shall be lawful for the Authorised Officer, if so
(2) all persons bidding at the sale shall be required to declare if they are bidding on
their own behalf or on behalf of their principals. In the latter case, they shall be
required to deposit their authority (file the authority), and in default their bids
shall be rejected.
(3) where the Authorised Officer referred to in sub-rule (1) is declared to be the
purchaser of the property at any subsequent sale, nothing contained in rule 57
shall apply to the case and the amount of the purchase price shall be adjusted
towards the (recovery of the) amount specified in the Certificate.
7.13 Application to set aside sale of immovable property on deposit: (Rule 60 of the Second
Schedule)
1) Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a Certificate, the defaulter,
or any person whose interests are affected by the sale, may, at any time within
thirty days from the date of the sale, apply to the Recovery Officer to set aside
the sale, on his depositing :-
a) the amount specified in the proclamation of sale as that for the recovery
of which the sale was ordered, with interest thereon at the rate of 9% per
annum, calculated from the date of the proclamation of sale to the date
when the deposit is made; and
b) for payment to the purchaser, as penalty, a sum equal to five per cent of
the purchase money, but not less than one rupee.
2) Where a person makes an application under Rule 61 for setting aside the sale of
his immovable property, he shall not, unless he withdraws that application, be
entitled to make or prosecute an application under this rule.
Note: The words date of sale means the date on which the property is knocked down
to the highest bidder and not the date on which the sale is confirmed by the Recovery
Officer under Rule 63.
Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a Certificate, the defaulter,
or any person whose interests are affected by the sale, may, at any time within thirty
Provided that :-
(a) no sale shall be set aside on any such ground unless the Recovery Officer is
satisfied that the applicant has sustained substantial injury by reason of the non-
service or irregularity; and
(b) an application made by a defaulter under this rule shall be disallowed unless the
applicant deposits the amount recoverable from him in the execution of the
Certificate.
Note: In order to set aside a sale of immovable property under this Rule, the following
conditions have to be satisfied, namely-
(i) the defaulter would not have been served with a Notice under Rule 2 to pay the
arrears or
(iii) the applicant must have sustained substantial injury as a result of such non-
service of Notice or irregularity and
(iv) in case the applicant happens to be the defaulter, he should have deposited the
amount recoverable from him in executing of the Certificate.
7.15 Setting aside sale where defaulter has no saleable interest: (Rule 62 of the Second
Schedule)
(i) Rule 62 enables the purchaser who innocently and ignorantly has purchased
valueless property to get the sale set aside on the ground that the defaulter has
no saleable interest in the property within thirty days of the sale.
A purchaser of property at an execution sale can get the sale set aside under this
Rule only if the following conditions are fulfilled namely
(a) He should make an application to the Recovery Officer for setting aside the
sale, within the prescribed time; and
(c) Such application is based on the ground that the defaulter has no saleable
interest at all in the property. It, therefore, follows that the Rule does not
apply if the defaulter has even a partial interest in the property, however
small that interest may be.
Where a person purchases property in which the defaulter has no saleable interest
at all, the sale is not void, but is only voidable. He can move the Recovery Officer
to get it set aside.
(iv) Limitation:
The application under this Rule should be prescribed at any time within 30 days
from the date of the sale. If the purchaser fails to do so, he is also barred to file
an application under Rule 9 of the Second Schedule.
A purchaser at an execution sale gets only the right, title and interest of the
defaulter, and nothing more. The Recovery Officer who sells the property does
not guarantee the title. The purchaser has to be aware of the property he is
buying, and the maxim caveat emptor-buyer beware applies to him. He is,
therefore, not entitled to any compensation for loss of the property bought at
all such sales.
(i) when no application is made for setting aside the sale under Rule 60, 61
or 62 of the Schedule; or
(ii) (a) when such an application has been made and the same is disallowed
by the Recovery Officer, and
(b) the full amount of the purchase money has been paid.
(2) Where an application is made under Rule 60, 61 & 62 to set aside the sale on
deposit of the amount alongwith penalty and charges, and the deposit is made
within thirty days from the date of the sale; the Recovery Officer shall make an
order setting aside the sale.
Provided that no order shall be made by the Recovery Officer unless a Notice of
the application has been given to the persons affected thereby and to the interested
parties to show cause as to why the sale should not be set aside, be issued in
form ESICP 21.
(i) Conditions for return of purchase money : A suit for refund of purchase money,
on the ground that there is no saleable interest of the defaulter in the property
does not lie at the instance of the purchaser. He has to get the sale set aside
under Rule 62 before becoming eligible for refund under this rule.
It has been held that where the sale is set aside on the ground of fraud on the
part of the Auction purchaser, he is not entitled to a refund of the amount
deposited by him as purchase money.
Under this Rule, the Recovery Officer shall return the amount deposited together
with penalty, if any, to the purchaser where a sale of immovable property is set
aside under Rule 63(2) of the Schedule.
The following amounts have to be returned to the purchaser under the provisions
of this Rule, namely-
(a) Any money paid or deposited by the purchaser under Rule 57, on account
of the purchase;
(b) Any penalty, if deposited by the defaulter under Rule 60(1)(b) of the Schedule;
and
(c) Such interest as the Recovery Officer may allow to the purchaser.
The provisions of this Rule are mandatory. Where the sale of immovable property
has become absolute, the Recovery Officer shall grant a Certificate in Form ESICP
23, which specifies the property sold, the name of the person declared as purchaser
under Rule 57(1) and the date on which the sale had become absolute.
The Certificate is granted to the purchaser. Where the purchaser is dead, it may
be granted to his legal representative. If the purchaser has assigned his right to
some one else, it may be granted to such assignee. Transferee from successful
bidder cannot ask for Sale Certificate to be issued in his favour.
A Sale Certificate does not transfer title. It is the best evidence of transfer. The
purchaser gets his title by virtue of his purchase, and the Certificate is only
evidence thereof. Hence he can apply for possession even without obtaining a
Certificate. As against all the parties to the proceedings the Sale Certificate gives
a complete title to the property, and a right to possession thereof. A Sale Certificate
is only a formal document confirming what was purchased in recovery Auction
and cannot confer title on the purchaser to property which was never included
in a proclamation of sale or put up for sale, though included in the Sale Certificate.
The purchaser can only base his title to the property by virtue of his purchase
and not on the Certificate of sale. When the property is purchased in recovery
proceedings, the Sale Certificate has the same value as a sale deed.
(vi) Limitation:
There is no necessity for the purchaser to apply for a Certificate under this rule,
and hence such an application can be made at any time. The Recovery Officer
is duty bound, as such, to grant the Certificate suo motu.
7.19 Postponement of sale to enable defaulter to raise amount due under Certificate: (Rule
66 of the Second Schedule)
(1) Where an order for the sale of immovable property has been made, if the defaulter
can satisfy the Recovery Officer that there is reason to believe that the amount
of the Certificate may be raised by the mortgage or lease or private sale of such
property, or some part thereof, or of any other immovable property of the
defaulter, the Recovery Officer may, on his application, postpone the sale of the
property comprised in the order for sale, on such terms, and for such period as
he thinks proper, to enable him to raise the amount.
(2) In such case, the Recovery Officer shall grant a Certificate to the defaulter,
authorizing him, within a period to be mentioned therein, and notwithstanding
anything contained in this Schedule, to make the proposed mortgage, lease or
sale in Form ESICP 20.
Provided that all moneys payable under such mortgage, lease or sale shall be
paid, not to the defaulter, but to the ESI Recovery Officer.
Provided also that no mortgage, lease or sale under this rule shall become absolute
until it has been confirmed by the Recovery Officer.
When a re-sale is to be ordered for the reason that the highest bidder did not make
full payment as per the time schedule, the Recovery officer should follow the same
procedure de-novo
Where the property sold in a share of undivided immovable property, and two or
more persons, of whom one is a co-sharer, respectively bid the same sum of such
property or for any lot, the bid shall be deemed to be the bid of the co-sharer.
7.22 Acceptance of property in satisfaction of amount due from the defaulter: (Rule 68A
of the Second Schedule)
(1) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in this Part, the Recovery Officer,
duly authorized by the Director General, ESIC in his behalf, may accept in satisfaction
of the whole or any part of the amount due from the defaulter the property, the
sale of which has been postponed for the reason mentioned in sub-rule (1) of
rule 59, (L.7.12) at such price as may be agreed upon between the Recovery
Officer and the defaulter.
(2) Where any property is accepted under sub-rule (1), the defaulter shall deliver
possession of such property to the Recovery Officer and on the date the possession
of the property is delivered to the Recovery Officer, the property shall vest in ESI
Corporation. An intimation has to be sent to the concerned Registering Officer
appointed under the Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908), accordingly.
(3) Where the price of the property agreed upon under sub-rule (1) exceeds the
amount due from the defaulter, such excess amount shall be paid by the Recovery
Officer to the defaulter within a period of three months from the date of delivery
of possession of the property and where the Recovery Officer fails to pay such
excess within the period aforesaid, ESI Corporation shall, for the period commencing
on the expiry of such period and ending with the date of payment of the amount
remaining unpaid, pay simple interest at 16 {one-half per cent of every month
or part of a month} to the defaulter on such amount.
7.23 Time limit for sale of attached immovable property: (Rule 68B of the Second Schedule)
(1) No sale of immovable property shall be made under this Part after the expiry of
three years from the end of the financial year in which the order giving rise to
a demand of arrears (contribution, damages or claim for interest ) for the recovery
of which the immovable property has been attached, has become conclusive.
(2) In computing the period of limitation under sub-rule (1), the period:
(i) during which the levy of the aforesaid arrears (contribution, interest,
damages), is stayed by an order or injunction of any court; or
(iii) commencing from the date of the presentation of any appeal against the
order passed by the Recovery Officer under this Schedule and ending on
the day the appeal is decided,
shall be excluded:
Provided that where immediately after the exclusion of the aforesaid period, the
period of limitation for the sale of the immovable property is less than 180 days,
such remaining period shall be extended to 180 days and the aforesaid period
of limitation shall be deemed to be extended accordingly.
(3) Where any immovable property has been attached under this Part before the 1st
day of June, 1992, and the order giving rise to a demand of any tax, interest,
fine, penalty or any other sum, for the recovery of which the immovable property
has been attached, has also become conclusive or final before the said date, that
date shall be deemed to be the date on which the said order has become
conclusive or, as the case may be, final.
(4) Where the sale of immovable property is not made in accordance with the
provisions of sub-rule (1), the Attachment Order in relation to the said property
shall be deemed to have been vacated on the expiry of the time of limitation
specified under this rule.
7.24 Defaulting Purchaser answerable for Loss on Resale: (Rule 14 of Second Schedule)
7.27 Prohibition against Bidding or Purchase by Officer (involved in sale): (Rule 17 of Second
Schedule)
7.30 Suit against purchaser not maintainable on ground of purchase being made on behalf
of plaintiff: (Rule 7 of Second Schedule)
7.33 Sale Proceeds not to be disbursed till sale confirmed: (Rule 20 of ITCP Rules, 1962)
The proceeds of the sale of immovable property shall not be disbursed until the sale
is confirmed by the Recovery Officer or where an appeal has been filed against the
order confirming the sale, until the disposal of the appeal.
The procedure for maintaining and custody of the attached movable property is contained
under Rules 23 to 35 of the ITCP RULES, 1962 which are as under:-
8.1 Property to which rules apply: (Rule 23 of I.T. (C.P) Rules, 1962)
The Rules in this part relate to movable property (other than agricultural produce)
attached by actual seizure under the Second Schedule.
(1) Where the property attached is of such a nature that its removal from the place
of attachment is impracticable or its removal involves expenditure out of proportion
to the value of property, the attaching Social Security Officer (Recovery) shall,
subject to any directions, which the Recovery Officer may issue in this behalf,
arrange for the proper maintenance and custody of the property at the place of
attachment. (The expenditure incurred should be added to the amount to be
recovered). The attaching Officer shall forthwith send a report of having done so
to the Recovery Officer.
(2) On receipt of report from the attaching officer under sub-rule(1), the Recovery
Officer may either order the removal of property to a place which he shall
specify or sanction its maintenance and custody at the place of attachment
under such conditions as he may think fit.
8.3 Removal and custody of property in other cases: (Rule 25 of I.T.(C.P.)Rules 1962)
Where the attached property is not kept at the place of attachment, it shall be kept
in the custody of an officer (hereinafter in this part referred to as the custodial
officer) subordinate to the Recovery Officer and authorised by him for this purpose.
The custody officer may remove the property to the office of the Recovery officer for
custody under his own supervision or, with the approval of the Recovery Officer, may
make such arrangements as may be convenient and economical for its safe custody
8.4 Property may be handed over to the defaulter: (Rule 26 of I.T.(C.P.)Rules 1962)
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in Rule 24 or Rule 25, the attaching officer
or the custody officer may, with the previous approval of the Recovery Officer,
entrust, subject to his right of supervision, the attached property to the defaulter
on his executing a duly stamped bond (sapurdnama) in form no. ESICP 13 which
may be so varied as the circumstances of each case may require.
(2) Where any person has become surety in relation to the bond (sapurdnama)
executed under sub-clause(1) for the amount due by the defaulter, he may be
proceeded against under these proceedings as if he were the defaulter. In the
event of default of payment as aforesaid, the proceedings against the surety/
sureties will be initiated by issue of a notice in form ESICP 14. (Rule 88 of the
Second Schedule)
8.5 Custody of attached cash, securities, etc.: (Rule 27 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
Note: where the property attached is current coin or currency notes, the Recovery
Officer may at any time during the continuance of attachment direct, by an order in
form ESICP 15, that such coins or notes shall be credited to the Corporation and the
amount so credited shall be dealt with in the manner specified under Disposal of
proceeds of execution (Refer chapter V: 5.16).
8.6 Claim of any person other than the defaulter to the property under attachment: (Rule
28 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
When the property remains at the place where it is attached in the custody of the
Attaching Officer and any person other than the defaulter claims the same, or any
part thereof, the officer shall nevertheless remain in possession shall direct the claimant
to prefer his claim to the Recovery Officer.
(2) For the purpose of giving possession under sub-rule (1) the attaching officer
shall inform the defaulter that the property is at his disposal.
(3) In the absence of any person to take charge of the property, the attaching officer
shall, if the property has been removed from the premises in which it was
seized, replace it where it was found at the time of seizure.
8.8 Property may be sold, if costs, etc., not paid: (Rule30 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
In default of the payment of costs, charges and expenses referred to in sub-rule (1)
of rule 29, the movable property or such portion thereof as may be necessary shall
be sold by auction and after defraying the expenses of such sale and the costs, charges
and expenses aforesaid, the balance, if any, of the movable property as has not been
sold shall be handed over to the defaulter.
8.9 Feeding and tending of live stock under attachment: (Rule31 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
Whenever livestock is kept at the place where it has been attached, the defaulter shall
be at liberty to undertake the due feeding and tending of it, under the supervision of
the attaching officer.
In the event of the defaulter failing to feed the attached livestock, the livestock may
be placed in the custody of the custodial officer or in the circumstances mentioned
in Rule 33 (next para) may be placed in a pound maintained by the Government or a
Local authority.
If there be any such pound near the office of the Recovery Officer, the attaching
officer or the custodial officer may place in it such attached livestock as can properly
be kept there in which case the pound keeper shall be responsible for the livestock
and shall receive the same rates for accommodation and maintenance thereof as are
payable in respect of impounded cattle of the same description.
8.12 Custody with a person other than custodial officer: (Rule34 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
Notwithstanding anything contained in Rule33, the custody officer may, with the approval
of the Recovery Officer, entrust the attached livestock to any other fit person under
8.13 Expenses of custody, maintenance, etc.: (Rule 35 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
The procedure to be followed by the Recovery Officer to deliver the sold attached
property which is in the form of Share in a Corporation, Negotiable Instrument, Endorsement
etc is enunciated under Rule 36 to 40 of the ITCP Rules, 1962. Recovery Officer is expected
to be thorough with these procedures as these may have legal ramifications.
9.1 Delivery of Movable Property, Debts and Shares: (Rule 36 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules (1962)
(1) Where the property sold is movable property of which actual seizure has been
made, it shall be delivered to the purchaser.
(2) (a) Where the property sold is movable property in the possession of some
person other than the defaulter, the delivery thereof to the purchaser shall
be made by giving notice to the person in possession prohibiting him from
delivering possession of the property to any person except the purchaser
and requiring him to deliver possession of the property to the purchaser
within the time stipulated by the Recovery Officer.
(b) Where such person in possession of the property fails without reasonable
cause to deliver possession of the property to the purchaser within the
time specified by the Recovery Officer, or within such further time as may
be allowed by him, the Recovery Officer shall cause the property to be
seized and delivered to the purchaser and the provisions of Rule 35 &36
of the Second Schedule shall, as far as may be, apply to such seizure.
(3) (a) Where the property sold is a debt not secured by a Negotiable Instrument,
the delivery thereof to the purchaser shall be made by a written order of
the Recovery Officer prohibiting the creditor (i.e. the person from whom
the instrument is recovered) from receiving the debt or any interest thereon
and the debtor from making payment thereof to any person except the
purchaser and requiring the debtor to make payment thereof to the purchaser
within the time stipulated by the Recovery Officer.
(4) (a) Where the property sold is a Share in Corporation the delivery thereof to
the purchaser shall be made by a written order of the Recovery Officer
prohibiting the person in whose name the Share may be standing from
making any transfer of the Share to any person except the purchaser, or
receiving payment of any dividend or interest thereon and requiring him to
deliver the Share certificate or other document of title along with the
instrument of transfer duly completed by him to the Recovery Officer within
the time stipulated by the Recovery Officer and prohibiting the Manager,
Secretary or other proper officer of the Corporation from permitting any
such transfer or making any payment to any person except the purchaser.
(b) Where the person in whose name the Share may be standing fails to deliver
the Share certificate or other document of title to the Recovery Officer
within the time stipulated by him, or within such further time as may be
allowed by him, the Recovery Officer may take steps to obtain a duplicate
of the Share certificate or other document of title as if the Share certificate
or other document of title had been lost or destroyed.
9.2 Transfer of Negotiable Instruments and Shares: (Rule 37 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
(1) Where the execution of a document or the endorsement of the party in whose
name a Negotiable Instrument or a Share in a corporation is standing is required
to transfer such Negotiable Instrument or Share to a person who has purchased
it under a sale under the Second Schedule, the Recovery Officer may execute
such document or make such endorsement as may be necessary and such execution
or endorsement shall have the same effect as an execution or endorsement by
the party.
(3) The Recovery Officer may cause the document to be executed on proper stamp
paper and to be registered if its registration is required by any law for the time
being in force and the expenses of such execution and registration shall be
borne by the purchaser.
(4) Until the transfer of such Negotiable Instrument or Share, the Recovery Officer
may, by order, appoint some person to receive any interest or dividend due
thereon and to sign a receipt for the same; and any receipt so signed shall be
as valid and effectual for all purposes as if the same had been signed by the
party himself.
9.3 Vesting order in case of other property: (Rule 38 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules 1962)
In the case of any movable property not hereinbefore provided for, the Recovery
Officer may make an order vesting such property in the purchaser or as the purchaser
may direct; and such property shall vest accordingly.
9.4 Delivery of Immovable property in occupancy of defaulter: (Rule 39 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules
1962)
(1) Where the immovable property sold is in the occupancy of the defaulter or of
some person on his behalf or of some person claiming under a title created by
the defaulter subsequently to the attachment of such property and a certificate
in respect thereof has been granted under Rule 65 of the Second Schedule (sale
certificate), the Recovery Officer shall, on the application of the purchaser, order
delivery to be made by putting such purchaser on any person whom the purchaser
may appoint to receive delivery on his behalf in possession of the property, and
if need be, by removing any person who refuses to vacate.
9.5 Delivery of Immovable property in occupancy of tenant (Rule 40 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules
1962):
Where the immovable property sold is in the occupancy of a tenant or other person
entitled to occupy the same and a certificate in respect thereof has been granted under Rule
65 of the Second Schedule(Sale certificate), the Recovery Officer shall, on the application of
the purchaser, order delivery to be made by affixing a copy of the certificate of sale in some
conspicuous place on the property, and proclaiming to the occupant by beat of drum or
other customary mode, at some convenient place, that the interest of the defaulter has been
transferred to the purchaser.
At the time of handing over the possession of the property after the sale proceedings
are complete, it is possible that there may be some resistance or obstruction in handing over
the possession of the property. Rule 41 to 47 of the ITCP Rules, 1962 lay down the procedure
to be followed in such contexts:
(2) The Recovery Officer shall fix a day for investigating the matter and shall summon
the party against whom the application is made to appear and answer the same.
Where the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the resistance or obstruction was occasioned
without any just cause by the defaulter or by some other person at his instigation, he
shall direct that the applicant be put into possession of the property, and where the
applicant is still resisted or obstructed in obtaining possession, the Recovery Officer
may also, at the instance of the applicant, take steps to put the applicant into possession
of the property by removing the defaulter or any person acting at his instigation.
10.3 Resistance or obstruction by bona fide claimant: (Rule 43 of I.T. (C.P.) Rules, 1962)
Where the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the resistance or obstruction was occasioned
by any person (other than the defaulter) claiming in good faith to be in possession of
the property on his own account or on account of some person other than the defaulter,
the Recovery Officer shall make an order dismissing the application.
(1) Where any person other than the defaulter is dispossessed of immovable property
sold in execution of a certificate by the purchaser thereof, he may make an
(2) The Recovery Officer shall fix a day for investigating the matter and shall summon
the party against whom the application is made to appear and answer the same
10.5 Bona fide claimant to be restored to possession: (Rule 45 of I.T. (C.P.) Rule, 1962)
Where the Recovery officer is satisfied that the applicant was in possession of the
property on his own account or on account of some person other than the defaulter,
he shall direct that the applicant be put into possession of the property.
10.6 Rules not applicable to Transferee *Lite Pendente (*while the litigation is pending):
(Rule 46 of the I.T. (C.P.) Rules, 1962)
Nothing in Rule 43 & 45, shall apply to resistance or obstruction by a person to whom
the defaulter has transferred the property after the service of notice under Rule 2 of
Second Schedule in form ESICP 2 or to the dispossession of any such person.
Any party not being a defaulter against whom an order is made under Rule 42 or Rule
43 or Rule 45 may institute a suit in a civil court to establish the right which he claims
to the present possession of the property.
A Recovery Officer need not mechanically and routinely take recourse to sell all the
properties he has attached to realize the amounts to be recovered. There are instances
where the defaulters possess adequate immovable properties or running business which, in
opinion of the Recovery Officer although sound, is being mismanaged or is being badly
dissipated. Further, there might be prior encumbrances on individual assets of the business
which may render the realization through attachment and sale of individual property very
difficult and unprofitable. Some business may be generating substantial income but it quickly
reaches the pocket of the defaulter even before the Recovery machinery reaches him. The
attachment and sale might present peculiar difficulties in some cases as for instance, there
might be substantial hypothecation of raw materials and finished goods or there might be
systematic crediting of the receipts to an overdraft account with the Bank. On the other
hand, if it is completely taken over and managed prudently and diligently through a Receiver
he would be able to recover the amount in question in due course from the returns garnered
and at the same time it also helps avoid the sale that might cause incalculable harm to the
business resulting in its closure .The Recovery procedure has created alternate provisions to
save such properties from being sold out by empowering the Recovery Officer to appoint a
suitable person of his choice known as Receiver who would manage all the affairs of the
business or the property professionally in a systematic manner aimed at realizing all the dues
in a reasonable time.
This option can be judiciously resorted to by the Recovery Officer after carefully weighing
all the merits and advantages in the given situation.
This process involves the management of the business in question by the Receiver and
it naturally calls for the knowledge and skill required to run the business efficiently on a
sound footing. Sometimes the knowledge required is specialized. Jobs that call only for
effective supervision and good administration may not pose any serious difficulty to the
Receiver but the types of jobs that warrant profound professional expertise and technical
knowledge and also calls for skills and ability to take day to day decisions or hour to hour
decisions to strike deals etc., obviously calls for a challenging and highly competitive persons
to function as Receiver. Therefore, it is necessary for the Recovery Officer to understand the
business and have a breakup of the structure and safely confine the functions of the Receiver
a) Cinema Theatres,
Who is a Receiver?
The defaulter from whom the recovery is to be effected may be running a business or
may possess some immovable property. The Recovery Officer may, instead of directing the
sale of property, opt to manage the property or his business through a Receiver to realize
the dues. A Receiver is understood to be a person who officially deals with and manages the
business matters of companies which cannot pay their debts. The assets of the business are
not actually vested in the Receiver and he is not the owner of the assets of the business. But,
he gets the power of management of the business and may take action incidental to the
exercise of such powers of management and such action may involve alienation of the current
assets of the business. It has been held in cases of Civil Procedure Code that the spirit behind
the provisions authorizing the appointment of Receiver is preservation and management of
the business or property in order to subserve the subject matter of litigation.
Normally, when the defaulter has a business as his property, the Recovery Officer may
appoint a person, who, in his opinion is well suited for the purpose of managing the business,
bringing in and defending suits and for the realization, management prosecution and preservation
of the property, collection of rents and profits thereof.
Rules 69 to 72 of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act 1961 read with Rules
48 to 52 of the I.T. (C.P.) Rules, 1962 deal with the statutory provisions and procedure for
the appointment, powers and duties of the Receiver.
11.1 Appointment of the Receiver for business: (Rule 69 of the Second Schedule)
(1) Where the property of a defaulter consists of a business, the Recovery Officer
may attach the business and appoint a person as Receiver in form ESI CP 25
to manage the business.
(2) (Before appointing a Receiver the property has to be attached first) Attachment
of business under sub clause (1) shall be made by an order in form ESI CP 24
prohibiting the defaulter from transferring or charging the business in any way
and prohibiting all persons from taking any benefit under such transfer or charge
and intimating that the business has been attached under the proceedings.
A copy of the order of attachment shall be served on the defaulter, and another copy
shall be affixed on a conspicuous part of the premises in which the business carried
on and on the Notice board of the office of the Recovery Officer.
Note:(i) Appointment of a Receiver :- Under CPC the Court trying a suit can appoint
a Receiver for properties outside its jurisdiction, but by virtue of section
223 of the Income Tax Act and I.T. ( C.P.) Rules 6 & 7, the Recovery Officer
in whose jurisdiction the concerned property is situated alone is entitled
to appoint a Receiver. The Recovery Officer cannot appoint a Receiver
when another Receiver has already been appointed in respect of the same
property by a Court or another Recovery Officer, for such a procedure will
lead to conflict of jurisdiction. Property which is already in the hands of
the Receiver cannot be attached without the leave of the Court is first
obtained.
The Recovery Officer may not ordinarily appoint a Receiver when the estate
of the deceased Receiver is in the hands of the executor. The reason is that
the executor is already liable for payment of the arrear dues of the defaulter
under the provision of the Act. However, when such executor himself becomes
a defaulter, the Recovery Officer is not precluded from appointing a Receiver.
(v) Is Receiver an Officer under the Act? Unlike under the Code of Civil Procedure,
the Receiver is not an officer of the Court. He is also not an officer under
second schedule within the meaning of the term as defined in Rule 1 (e)
thereof. He is merely a person appointed by the Recovery Officer to manage
the business of the defaulter. For this purpose he is given considerable
powers under Rule 48 of the I.T.C.P Rules, 1962. He is also to exercise such
other powers as the Recovery Officer directs. It is thus evident that he acts
under a delegated authority derived from the Recovery Officer. He is however
a public officer within the meaning of Section 2(17) (h) of the C.P.C. in
as much as he is remunerated by fees or commission for the performance
of public duty under the Schedule. He is a representative of the Recovery
Officer and subject to his orders. His possession is the possession of the
Recovery Officer. The money in his possession is in custodia legis (guardian)
for the Recovery Officer and the defaulter; even so, the property does not
vest in him.
Where immovable property is attached, the Recovery Officer may, instead of directing
a sale of the property appoint a person as Receiver to manage such property.
Note: Where the value of immovable property is very large compared to the amount
to be recovered from the defaulter, and is likely that such arrears can be realized from
out of the income of such property, the Recovery Officer may appoint a Receiver for
such property under this rule.
11.4 Powers of Receiver: (Rule 71 of the Second Schedule read with Rule 48 of I.T.C.P Rules
1962)
(1) Where any business or other property is attached and taken under management
under the foregoing clauses, the Receiver shall, subject to the control of the
Recovery Officer, have such powers as may be necessary for the proper management
of property and the realization of profits, or rents and profits, thereof.
(2) The profits or rents and profits of such business or other property, shall, after
defraying the expenses of management, be adjusted towards discharge of the
arrears, and the balance, if any, shall be paid to the defaulter.
(3) A Receiver appointed under section 45C (Second Schedule to the I.T Act, 1961)
shall have all such powers, as to bringing in and defending suits and for the
realization, management, protection and preservation of the property, the collection
of the rents and profits thereof, the application and disposal of such rents and
profits, and the execution of documents as the owner himself has, or such of
those powers as the Recovery Officer thinks fit.
The Recovery Officer may, by special or general order, fix the amount to be paid as
remuneration for the services of the Receiver.
(a) furnish such security (if any) as the Recovery Officer thinks fit, duly to
account for what he shall receive in respect of the property.
(c) pay the amount due from him as the Recovery Officer directs; and
(d) be responsible for any loss occasioned to the property by his willful default
or gross negligence.
(2) The Receiver shall maintain true and regular accounts of the Receivership and
shall in particular maintain a cash book in which shall be entered from day to
day all receipt and payments and also a ledger. He shall also maintain a counterfoil
receipt book with the leaves numbered serially in print, from which shall be
given as far as possible, all receipts for payments made to the Receiver.
(3) Unless the Recovery Officer otherwise directs, the Receiver shall, as soon as may
be after his appointment, open an account in the name of the Receivership in
such bank as the Recovery Officer may direct and shall deposit therein all moneys
received in the course of the Receivership immediately on receipt thereof save
any minimum sums that may be required for meeting day to day current expenses.
All payments by the Receiver shall, as far as possible, be made by cheques drawn
on the bank account.
(4) Unless otherwise ordered, a Receiver shall submit his accounts once in every
three months. The first of such accounts commencing from the date of his
appointment and ending with the expiry of three months there from shall be
submitted within fifteen days of the expiry of the said period of three months
and the subsequent accounts brought down to the end of each succeeding period
of three months, within fifteen days of the expiry of each such period of three
months.
(1) Where a Receiver fails to submit his accounts at such periods and in such form
as the Recovery Officer directs, the Recovery Officer may direct his property to
be attached until such time as such accounts are submitted to him.
(2) The Recovery Officer may at any time make an enquiry as to the amount, if any,
due from the Receiver as shown by his accounts, or otherwise, or an enquiry as
to any loss to the property occasioned by his willful default or gross negligence
and may order the amount found due, if not already paid by the Receiver under
Rule 50 of I.T.C.P.Rules,1962 or the amount of the loss so occasioned, to be paid
by the Receiver within a period to be fixed by the Recovery Officer.
(4) If a Receiver fails to submit his accounts at such periods and in such form as
directed by the Recovery Officer without reasonable cause or improperly retains
any cash in his hands, the Recovery Officer may disallow the whole or any portion
of the remuneration due to him for the period of the accounts with reference
to which the default is committed and may also charge interest at a rate not
exceeding 12 percent per annum on the moneys improperly retained by him for
the period of such retention without prejudice to any other proceedings which
might be taken against the Receiver.
The attachment and management under the foregoing Rules may be withdrawn at any
time at the discretion of the Recovery Officer, or if the arrears are discharged by
receipt of such profits and rents or are otherwise paid.
There is no express provision in the Schedule for fixing the term or removal from
office, of the Receiver. The expression management.. may be withdrawn at any
time indicates that the Receiver holds office at the discretion of the Recovery Officer.
This is also supported from the language of the penultimate paragraph of Form No
ESICP 25. As a rule, a Receiver should not be allowed to continue in office if he fails
to comply with the Recovery Officers orders to submit his accounts. Normally, duration
of the office of Receivership ends if and when the entire outstanding certificate dues
are recovered in full including Cost & Charges so ordered by the Recovery Officer.
Note: - Deterrent effect of this mode of recovery: Recourse to this method of recovery
might even work as a good deterrent to non-payment of arrears of ESI dues. It is
common knowledge that more profits are made in business than what are disclosed
to that department and one would not normally allow the management of the business
to be put in the hands of others.
Governing Provisions:
In terms of Section 45H the procedure to be followed in executing Arrest and Detention
has to be in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The statutory
provisions and procedure for Arrest and Detention of Defaulter are provided in Part V, viz:
Rule 19, Rule 73 to 81 and Rule 90. of the Second Schedule to the IT Act, 1961 read with
Part VIII, viz: Rule 53 and 54 of ITCP,Rules 1962. The Rules are, in many respects, analogous
to Order 21, Rules 37 to 40 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 read with section 51 and
sections 55 to 59 of the code. The process of execution of an Arrest Warrant actually consists
of three stages, namely:
Who may be Arrested: - Before the process of Arrest and Detention is set in motion,
the Recovery Officer should satisfy himself that the Defaulter has a personal liability. A Karta
of Hindu undivided family has a personal liability in the matter of payment of arrears due
from the family. The partner of the dissolved firm has a personal liability in respect of arrear
due from the dissolved firm. It follows that the partner is liable to the process of Arrest and
Detention in respect of arrears of the firm
(Explanation: for the purposes of this clause, where the Defaulter is a Hindu undivided
family, the Karta thereof shall be deemed to be the Defaulter).
12.1 Notice to show Cause in Form ESIC CP 26: (Rule 73 of the Second Schedule)
(1) No order for the Arrest and Detention in civil prison of a Defaulter shall be made
unless the Recovery Officer has issued and served a Notice in ESI CP 26 upon the
Defaulter calling upon him to appear before him on the date specified in the
Notice and to show cause why he should not be committed to the civil prison,
and unless the Recovery Officer, for reasons recorded in writing, is satisfied:-
(b) that the Defaulter has or has had since the drawing up of the certificate
by the Recovery Officer, the means to pay the arrears or some substantial
part thereof and refuses or neglects or has refused or neglected to pay the
same (i.e. the Defaulter has sufficient means to pay the amount in question
either fully or substantially but refuses to make the payment deliberately).
(ii) The reasons for coming to conclusion that the Defaulter has to be
Arrested should be recorded in writing by the Recovery Officer after
satisfying himself that the Defaulter has transferred, concealed or
removed any part of his property with the object of obstructing the
execution of the certificate or the Defaulter who has had means to
pay the arrears refused or neglects to pay the same. After this exercise
the show cause Notice as at Para (1) above has to be issued.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub Para (1) a Warrant in form ESICP 27
for the Arrest of the Defaulter may be issued by the Recovery Officer if the
Recovery Officer is satisfied, by affidavit or otherwise, that with the object or
effect of delaying the execution of the certificate, the Defaulter is likely to abscond
or leave the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Recovery Officer.
Note: It is imperative that the Name and Designation of the person to whom it
is issued for execution is clearly shown in the Warrant as, otherwise, it will
(3) Where appearance is not made in obedience to a Notice issued and served
under sub clause (1) the Recovery Officer may issue a Warrant for the Arrest
of the Defaulter.
(3A) A Warrant of Arrest issued by a Recovery Officer under sub clause (2) or (3)
above may also be executed by any other Recovery Officer within whose jurisdiction
the Defaulter may for the time being be found.
Provided that, if the Defaulter pays the amount entered in the Warrant of Arrest
as due and the costs of the Arrest to the officer Arresting him, such officer shall
at once release him.
Note : Arrest how made?: The Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has
not prescribed any procedure for making an Arrest and therefore in the absence
of specified provisions procedure laid down in the Cr. P.C. should be followed.
The procedure for Arrest has been laid down under section 46 of the Cr.P.C.
which are as under:-
(1) In making an Arrest the Police Officer or other persons making the same
shall actually touch or confine the body of the person to be Arrested,
unless there be a submission to the custody by word or action.
(3) Nothing in this section gives a right to cause the death of a person who is
not accused of an offence punishable with death or with imprisonment for
life.
Thus, the process of Arrest consists of physical touching of a persons body e.g.
shoulder, with a view to detain him. An Arrest by mere oral declaration is insufficient.
Confinement and rough handling are not permissible, and are contrary to law
when the person to be Arrested submits to the custody. The SSO (Recovery) has
to execute the Warrant very tactfully. He must read the contents of the Warrant
in the presence of the Defaulter and physically touch his body. Once this is done,
the Arrest is complete and the Defaulter has to follow the SSO (Recovery). If he
fails to do so, force can be used to Arrest him and take him to custody with the
help of police under Rule 19 of Second Schedule to the I.T. Act 1961. When,
after making a valid Arrest, the Defaulter Arrested is produced before the Recovery
Officer under sub-rule 4 of Rule 73 of the Second Schedule, the Warrant gets
automatically exhausted.
Pending the conclusion of the inquiry, the Recovery Officer may, in his discretion;
order the Defaulter to be detained in the custody of such officer as the Recovery
Officer may think fit or release him on his furnishing security to the satisfaction of the
Recovery Officer for his appearance when required. (The security referred to, is one
other than personal security of the Defaulter)
(1) Upon conclusion of the inquiry, the Recovery Officer may make an order in form
ESICP 28 for the Detention of the Defaulter in the civil prison and shall in that
event cause him to be Arrested if he is not already under Arrest :
(2) When the Recovery Officer does not make an order of Detention he shall, if the
Defaulter is under Arrest, direct his release.
12.5 Detention in and release from prison: (Rule 77 of the Second Schedule)
Period of Detention:-
(1) Every person detained in the civil prison in execution of a certificate may be so
detained:-
(a) where the certificate is for demand of an amount exceeding two hundred
and fifty rupees for a period of six month, and
(b) in any other cases for a period of six weeks; provided that he shall be
released from such Detention:-
(i) on the amount mentioned in the Warrant for his Detention being
paid to the officer-in-charge of the civil prison, or
(ii) on the request of the Recovery Officer on any ground other than the
grounds mentioned in rule 78 and 79 0f the Second Schedule.
(2) A Defaulter released from Detention under this clause shall not, merely by reason
of his release, be discharged of his liability for the arrears, but he shall not be
liable to be reArrested under the certificate in execution of which he was detained
in the civil prison.
(1) The Recovery Officer may order in form ESICP 29 the release of a Defaulter who
has been Arrested in execution of a certificate upon being satisfied that he has
disclosed the whole of his property and has placed it at the disposal of the
Recovery Officer and that he has not committed any act of bad faith.
(2) If the Recovery Officer has ground for believing the disclosure made by a Defaulter
under sub rule (1) to have been untrue, he may order the re-Arrest of the
Defaulter in execution of the certificate, but the period of his Detention in to
The Recovery Officer can cancel the Warrant of Arrest or release the Defaulter from
civil prison under the following circumstances as per Rule 79 of the second schedule
as follows:-
(1) At any time after a Warrant for the Arrest of a Defaulter has been issued, the
Recovery Officer may cancel it on the ground of his serious illness.
(2) Where a Defaulter has been Arrested, the Recovery Officer may release him if,
in the opinion of the Recovery Officer, he is not in a fit state of health to be
detained in the civil prison.
(3) Where a Defaulter has been committed to the civil prison, he may be released
there from by the Recovery Officer on the ground of the existence of any infectious
or contagious disease, or on the ground of his suffering from any serious illness.
(4) A Defaulter released under this clause may be Arrested, but the period of his
Detention in the civil prison shall not in aggregate exceed that authorized under
rule 77 of the Second Schedule.
Note: The Defaulter released under this rule may be reArrested, but the total period
of Detention under the Arrest and re Arrest shall not exceed six weeks or six months
as the case may be. Before re - Arrest and Detention in civil prison under Rule 78(2)
& 79(4), the Recovery Officer has to issue a suitable show cause Notice.
Important DOs and DONTs to be strictly followed at the time of Arrest are laid down
under Rule 80 which are as under:
(a) no dwelling house shall be entered after sunset and before sunrise.
(b) no outer door of a dwelling house shall be broken open unless such dwelling
house or a portion thereof is in the occupancy of the Defaulter and he or any
other occupant of the house refuses or in any way prevents access thereto; but
when the person executing any such Warrant has duly gained access to any
(c) no room, which is in the actual occupancy of a woman who, according to the
customs of the country does not appear in public, shall be entered into unless
the officer authorized to make the Arrest has given Notice to her that she is at
liberty to withdraw and has given her reasonable time and facility for withdrawing.
12.9 Prohibition against Arrest of woman or minor etc.:(Rule 81 of the Second Schedule)
The Recovery Officer shall not order the Arrest and Detention in the civil prison of:
(a) a woman, or
Note: In the above cases the Recovery Officer is prohibited from issuing even a show
cause Notice prescribed under Rule 73. The prohibition in favour of a woman is analogous
to the one provided in Section 56 of the C.P.C.
12.10 Prison in which Defaulter may be detained: (Rule 53 of the I.T.(C.P.)Rules, 1962)
A person against whom an order of Detention has been passed under Section 45C(1)(b)
of the ESI Act read with Part V of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961
may be detained in the Civil prison of the district in which the Office of the Recovery
Officer is situated, or, where such Civil prison does not afford suitable accommodation,
in any other place which the State Government may appoint for the Detention of
persons ordered by the civil court of such district to be detained.
12.11 Subsistence Allowance: (Rule 90 of the Second Schedule read with Rule 54 of the I.T.
(C.P.) Rules, 1962)
The Recovery Officer is required to pay the expenditure towards the subsistence of
the Arrested Defaulter to the Civil Prison where he is lodged and the amounts so paid
may be added to the costs of Recovery which will be ultimately recovered from the
Defaulter.
(1) when a Defaulter is Arrested or detained in the civil prison, the sum payable for
the subsistence of the Defaulter from the time of Arrest until he is released shall
be borne by the Recovery Officer. Such sums shall be calculated in the scale fixed
by the State Government for the subsistence of the judgment debtors Arrested
in execution of a decree of civil court. The subsistence allowance payable under
Provided that the Defaulter shall not be detained in the civil prison or Arrested
on account of any sum payable.
(2) the subsistence allowance shall be supplied by the Recovery Officer, by monthly
installments in advance before the first day of each month.
(3) the first payment shall be made to the Recovery Officer for such portion of the
current month as remains unexpired before the Defaulter is committed to the
civil prison and the subsequent payment (if any) shall be made to the officer in
charge of the civil prison.
Provided that the Defaulter shall not be detained in the Civil Prison or Arrested on
account of any sum so payable.(in other words, the Defaulter should not be detained
in the Prison any longer than required and the Detention should not be prolonged
merely because of any money already paid in advance or any amount payable calculated
is for longer period.
Note:(i) Excessive force to be avoided:- Use of force should be limited to the minimum
extent Warranted by circumstances, in the course of Arrest and Detention.
(i) Section 45G (2) & (3) lays down the concept of recovery of amount of arrears
under the Act from any amount payable by a third party (Garnishee) to the
Defaulter and the procedure of such recovery is called Garnishee procedure.
Garnishee proceedings are summary procedure which purports to create a special
procedure for obtaining payment of money.
(ii) Section 45G (4) lays down the concept of recovery of amount of arrears under
the Act from the court in whose custody there is money belonging to the Defaulter.
(iii) Section 45G (5) lays down the concept of recovery of amount of arrears under
the Act by distraint and sale of the Defaulters movable property in the manner
laid down in the Third Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Section 45G of the ESI Act, 1948 is virtually in pari materia with Section 226 of the
Income Tax Act, 1961 with certain distinctions. Further, these modes of Recovery provided
under this Section can be effected by the Recovery Officer or any other officer authorized
by the Corporation even after the issue of Recovery certificate under section 45C.
Governing Provisions:
13.1 Section 45G (1) of the Act lays down that, notwithstanding the issue of a certificate
to the Recovery Officer under section 45C, the Director General or any other officer
(so far only the Recovery Officer is doing) authorized by the corporation may recover
the amount of arrears under the Act by any one or more of the modes provided in
this section. The above provision is distinctly different from the provision u/s 226 of
the I.T. Act 1961, as the powers of recovery provided are available to Assessing Officers
only up to the time that no certificate has been drawn up by the Tax Recovery Officer.
Once such a certificate is drawn up, the powers u/s 226 is exclusively exercisable by
the Tax Recovery Officer.
Note:- The essence of 45G is that even after the certificate is issued to the Recovery
Officer, the Authorized officer is empowered to recover the arrears by Garnishee
proceedings.
13.3 Under Section 45G (3) (i) of the Act, the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer at any
time or from time to time, by Notice in writing, require any person from whom
money is due(i.e. that money which has already become due to the Defaulter) or
may become due to the Defaulter or any person who holds or may subsequently
hold money for or on account of the Defaulter to pay to the Corporation either
forthwith upon the money becoming due (for payment to the Defaulter) or being held
or within the time specified in the Notice (not being before the money becomes due
or is held) the quantum of the money as is sufficient to pay the amount due from the
Defaulter in respect of the arrears under the Act or the whole of the money when it
is equal to or less than that amount. The words may become due refers to claims
arising out of some relationship like employer and employee, Banker and customer,
debtor and creditor or annuitant and payer of the annuity subsisting at the time of
issue of Notice between the Defaulter and the person served with the Notice.
Under the above section, it is possible to collect the arrears under the Act not only
from the Defaulter, but also from the hands of a third person who is holding money
or may subsequently hold money relating to the Defaulter. Such third person is called
as Garnishee and this procedure of recovery is called Garnishee Proceedings. The
said procedure is usually obtained against a Bank (Garnishee) requiring the Bank to
pay money held in or from any amount that has become payable to the account of the
debtor (Defaulter) to the creditor (ESIC).
(a) any person from whom money is due or may become due to the Defaulter; or
(b) any person who holds , or may subsequently hold money for or on account of
the Defaulter to pay to the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer for and on account
of the Defaulter.
A Garnishee Notice is a Prohibitory Order directing the debtors (third person / Bank)
of the Defaulter to refuse the payment of the same to the Defaulter as the same is
attached by the Corporation / Department for the recovery of its arrears under the
Act payable by the Defaulter. This provision does not apply to the Bank with which the
employer has never dealt with in the past or a person with whom he has no dealings
or a person with whom he may have dealings in the future.
A copy of the said Notice may be sent to the Defaulter to his last known address and
in case of a joint account to all the joint holders to the known addresses. Where such
a Notice is sent to a Post Office, Banking Companies or a Insurer, it is not necessary
for any pass book , Deposit Receipt, Policy or any other document to be produced for
the purpose of any entry , endorsement or the like before payment is made, this is
not withstanding any Rule, practice or requirement to the contrary.
It has also been specified that any claim on the property regarding which a Garnishee
Notice under this sub-section has been issued arising after the date of the Notice shall
be void as against any demand contained in the Garnishee Notice. In other words,
once the Notice is served there is total embargo on its further operations and no one
including the Banks can operate it.
But, in any event, the essential condition is that, on the date of the service of Notice,
the person should be under an existing obligation to pay amounts to the Defaulter in
the immediate future. Similarly, the expression money is due means money legally
enforceable and recoverable. In a time-barred debt, there is no jural relationship of
debtor and creditor. Hence, when the right of recovery is lost to the creditor, the same
cannot be recovered by the creditor or by the Recovery Officer by resorting to Garnishee
proceedings.
In case, the Garnishee holds or may subsequently hold money on account of the
Defaulter jointly with any other person, then the shares of the joint-holders is presumed
to be equal, unless proved contrary. Where a person is a partner in several firms
including the Defaulters firm, recovery of the arrear of the Defaulter firm by resorting
to Garnishee proceedings against the debtor(s) of the other firms can be affected only
to the extent that partner had interest in the other firms and not beyond the interest
so held by that partner.
13.5 Under Section 45G (3) (vi) of the Act, the Garnishee may object to the Notice by a
statement on oath on the ground that the money so demanded is not due to the
Defaulter or that he does not hold any money on behalf of the Defaulter and the
Recovery Officer has to accept the same and conduct an inquiry. The Recovery Officer
has to give a Notice and hold an inquiry for the purpose of determining whether
statement on oath made was false by following all the principles of natural justice and
reach an objective decision. However, if the denial was false, the Garnishee would
become personally liable to the Recovery Officer/AuthorisedOfficer for such payment.
The burden of proving it false squarely rests on the concerned Officer as per the
decisions of various Courts. The said section gives a right only to the Garnishee to
object to the Garnishee Notice by a statement on oath. It is not open to the Defaulter
to challenge such Notice. Though there is no time limit prescribed for rejecting the
Garnishee Notice, the same must be done within a reasonable time and if no objection
13.6 Under Section 45G (3) (vii) of the Act, the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer may
issue a Garnishee Notice at any time or from time to time and the Notice may be
amended or revoked or the time for payment extended. The Notice should, however,
be properly served.
13.7 Under Section 45G (3) (viii) of the Act, the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer shall
grant a receipt for the amount paid in pursuance of the Notice and the Garnishee is
fully discharged from his liability to the Defaulter to the extent of the amount so paid.
13.8 Under Section 45G (3) (ix) of the Act, if the Garnishee decides to pay the Defaulter(only
circumventing the directions in the Notice) after receipt of the Garnishee Notice, he
becomes personally liable to the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer to the extent of
his own liability to the Defaulter so discharged or to the extent of the Defaulters
liability for any sum due under the Act, whichever is less. Such an Act invites action
against him as envisaged under Section 45G 3 (x) which is as under:
13.9 Under Section 45G (3) (x) of the Act, failure of the Garnishee to comply with the
Notice makes him a deemed Defaulter of the amount specified in the Notice or to the
extent of his own liability to the Defaulter, whichever is less; and further proceedings
may be taken against him for recovery of the amount as if it were an arrear from him
and the Garnishee Notice shall have the same effect as an attachment of a debt by
the Recovery Officer in exercise of his powers u/s 45C. Using this provision the Recovery
Officers have proceeded to attach even Bank Properties when they failed to transfer
the amounts lying in the account of the Defaulter immediately after it was attached.
In another case Reserve Bank of India attached the Account of Andhra Bank and paid
the certificate amount to the ESI Corporation as the amount payable was refused on
the instructions of its client (Defaulter). Thus, once the Notice is issued to the Garnishee
by the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer there is absolutely no liberty available to
either delay/withhold the payment to the Corporation for any length of time or in any
way handle the amount for any other purpose. Thus the Recovery Officer can exert
pressure to recover the amount at once without any loss of time.
13.10 Under Section 45G (4) of the Act, the Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer may apply
to the Court in whose custody there is money belonging to the Defaulter, to pay him
the entire amount or an amount sufficient to discharge the arrears under the Act
whichever is less.
The Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer is expected to know the subtle merits and
different types of consequences that emerge from a Prohibitory Order as well as that of
Garnishee Orders and should carefully and judiciously exercise his prerogative and proceed
with action that is best suited in the circumstances of a given case. The following table
makes the position more explicit.
Sl. Prohibitory Orders under Rule 26 (1)(a) Garnishee Orders under section 45G of
No of the Second Schedule to the Income The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
Tax Act, 1961
1 Whenever the Bank Accounts of the Whenever the Bankers are issued the
Employers are attached by issuing a Garnishee Order, the Accounts of the
Prohibitory Order, the Accounts are Defaulters are not completely frozen. The
completely frozen even if the arrears Bankers just set aside the amount specified
due to the ESIC are very small compared in the order as arrears and permit the
to the huge balance which may be Defaulters to operate the account with the
available in the concerned account. balance amount and also withdraw that
balance, if so desired by the Defaulters.
2 As the entire Bank operation comes to No such pressure is felt by the Defaulters
a standstill, the Defaulters could face when they have more money in the Bank
a crisis, where the cheques issued by than what is due to the Corporation. They
the Defaulter to others get dishonoured. do come forward to settle the dues of the
They are not able to withdraw any Corporation at once.
amount from their Accounts. Thus,
pressure is brought on them to settle
the dues of the Corporation
immediately.
Note: (i) if the situs of the debt is outside the jurisdiction of the Recovery Officer attaching
the debt, then the Prohibitory Order (ESICP 4) cannot be served on the debtor
by the said Recovery Officer. The Recovery Officer can issue the Prohibitory
Order to the Defaulter, but must transfer the Recovery Certificate to the Recovery
Officer having jurisdiction over the situs of the debt to recover from the Garnishee.
(ii) Garnishee proceedings can be initiated in the event of the Defaulter failing to
honour any of the instalments payable by him.
(iii) Recovery Officer/Authorized Officer can recover amount directly from Bank Account
of the Defaulter, though Stay Application is pending before the appropriate court
as provided in the Act.
(v) As per Rule 10(1) of the Second Schedule, all monies payable under a policy of
insurance on the life of the judgment debtor is exempt from attachment and
hence the Recovery Officer cannot issue any Notice for recovery of money payable
under an insurance policy.
(vi) What is attachable is debt owned by any person to the Defaulter. A cash credit
limit given by the Bank results into the Bank becoming a creditor of the Defaulter.
Hence, any unutilized portion of a credit given to the Defaulter cannot be treated
as a debt attachable. Accordingly, the Bank is under no obligation to pay the
unutilized portion to the Corporation. As such, the unutilized portion of the O.D.
limits in Bank Accounts cannot come under the purview of Section 226(3) of the
I.T. Act.
Governing Provisions:
Part VI, i.e. Rule 86 and 87 of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961 read
with Part VIIIA, i.e. Rule 55A and 55B of the ITCP, Rules 1962 relate to appeals and review.
(1) An appeal from any original order passed by the Recovery Officer (not being an
order which is conclusive) shall lie to the Additional Commissioner, Regional
Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised
by the Central Government by notification in the official gazette.
(2) Every appeal must be presented within thirty days from the date of the order
appealed against.
(3) Pending the decision of any appeal, execution of the certificate may be stayed
if the appellate authority so directs, but not otherwise.
(1) Every appeal under sub-rule (1) of rule 86 of the Second Schedule to the Income
Tax Act, 1961 shall be made in Form No. ESICP 30 which shall be verified in the
manner indicated therein and shall be accompanied by a copy of the order
appealed against.
(2) The form of appeal prescribed by sub-rule (1), the grounds of appeal and the
form of verification appended thereto shall be signed:-
(a) in the case of an individual, by the individual himself; where the individual
is absent from India, by the individual concerned or by some person dully
authorised by him in this behalf; and where the individual is mentally
incapacitated from attending to his affairs, by his guardian or by any other
person competent to act on his behalf.
(b) in the case of a Hindu undivided family, by the Karta, and where the Karta
is absent from India or is mentally incapacitated from attending to his
affairs, by any other adult member of the family;
(c) in the case of a company or local authority, by the principal officer thereof;
(d) in the case of a firm, by any partner thereof, not being a minor;
(e) in the case of any association, by any member of the association or the
principal officer thereof; and
(f) in the case of any other person, by that person, or by some person competent
to act on his behalf.
(1) The Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or
any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government by notification
in the official gazette as the case may be, shall fix a day and place for the hearing
of the appeal and shall give notice of the same to the appellant and the Recovery
Officer against whose order the appeal has been preferred.
(2) The following shall have the right to be heard at the time of appeal:-
(3) The Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or
any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government may if
sufficient cause is shown, at any stage of the appeal, grant time to the parties
or any of them, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, adjourn from time to
time, the hearing of the appeal.
(4) The Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or
any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government may before
disposing any appeal, may make such further inquiry as he/she thinks fit, or may
direct the Recovery Officer to make further inquiry and report the result of the
same to him/her.
(5) The said Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/
C) or any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government may,
at the hearing of an appeal, allow the appellant to go into any ground of appeal
not specified in the grounds of appeal, if the said Additional Commissioner,
Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be
authorised by the Central Government is satisfied that the omission of that
ground from the form of appeal was not wilful or unreasonable.
(6) The order of the Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director
(I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government
disposing of the appeal shall be in writing and shall state the points for
determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for the decision.
(7) On the disposal of the appeal, the Additional Commissioner, Regional Director,
Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised by the
Central Government shall communicate the order passed by him/her to the
appellant, the Defaulter (if he is not the appellant) and the Recovery Officer.
(8) Every appeal shall be disposed of by the Additional Commissioner, Regional Director,
Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised by the
Central Government as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made
to dispose of the appeal within six months from the date on which it is presented.
Any order passed under the recovery proceedings, may, after Notice to all persons
interested, be reviewed by the Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director,
Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government,
including the Recovery Officer who made the order, or by his successor in office, on
account of any mistake apparent from the records.
Part IX i.e. Rule 56, 57,58 and 59 of the ITCP, Rules 1962 relate to scale of fees for
processes, charges for other proceedings and poundage fees ,etc.
The following scale of fees shall be charged for service and execution of processes
issued under the Second Schedule and these rules:
15.2 Levy and scale of poundage fees (Rule 57 of ITCP Rules 1962):
(1) In respect of any sale made in the execution of a certificate, there shall be levied
a fee by way of poundage on the gross amount realised by the sale, calculated
at the rate of 2 per cent on such gross amount up to Rs.1,000 and at the rate
of 1 per cent on the excess of such gross amount over Rs.1000.
(2) The poundage fee leviable under sub-rule (1) shall be calculated on multiples of
Rs.25, that is to say, a poundage fee of 50 paisa shall be levied for every Rs.25,
or part of Rs.25, realised by the sale up to Rs.1,000 and in the case of proceeds
of the sale exceeding Rs.1,000, an additional fee of Rs.25 paisa for every Rs.25
or part thereof on the excess of such amount over Rs.1,000 shall be levied.
(3) Where the sale is in more than one lot, the poundage fee shall be calculated
with reference to the sale proceeds of each lot separately.
(5) When a sale of immovable property is set aside under sub-rule (2) of Rule 63,
of the Second Schedule, the Recovery Officer may make an order for payment,
by the defaulter or by the person at whose instance the sale is set aside, of the
poundage fees paid by the purchaser of the property under sub-rule (1) read
with sub-rule (4).
(1) Except in cases where copies are supplied free under rules or instructions in
force, copying fees shall be charged for supplying a copy of any document at the
rate of Re.1 for each page of such document.
(3) The fees to be charged for the supply of a copy of any document urgently shall
be Rs.4 for each document, in addition to the fees payable under sub-rule (1).
(1) Fees for inspecting records of proceedings before the Additional Commissioner,
Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be
authorised by the Central Government or Recovery Officer under the Second
Schedule shall, where such inspection is permitted, be charged as follows:
MISCELLANEOUS
Governing Provisions:
Part VI i.e. Rule 82,83,84,85 and 88 of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act,
1961 read with Part X i.e. Rule 60, 61 and 62 of the ITPC, Rules 1962 and the provisions of
the Third Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961 relate to Miscellaneous items/topics not
covered elsewhere.
Every Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any
other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government or the Recovery
Officer acting under the Act vis- a- vis the Second and Third Schedule to the Income
Tax Act, 1961 and the ITCP Rules, 1962 shall, in the discharge of his / her functions,
be deemed to be acting judicially within the meaning of Judicial Officers Protection
Act, 1850 (18 of 1850).
Every Additional Commissioner, Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any
other officer who may be authorised by the Central Government or the Recovery
Officer acting under the provisions of the Act vis- a- vis the Second and Third Schedule
to the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the ITCP Rules, 1962 shall have the powers of a Civil
Court while trying a suit for the purpose of receiving evidence, administering oaths,
enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents.
16.4 Procedure on death of defaulter ( Rule 85 of the Second Schedule read with Rule 60
of ITCP Rule,1962) :
If at any time after the certificate is drawn by the Recovery Officer, the defaulter dies,
the proceedings under the Act vis- a- vis the Second and Third Schedule to the Income
Tax Act, 1961 and the ITCP Rules, 1962 ( except arrest and detention) may be continued
against the legal representative of the defaulter, and the provisions of the Act vis-
a- vis the Second and Third Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the ITCP Rules,
1962 shall apply as if the legal representative were the defaulter [For this purpose
legal representative has the meaning assigned to in clause (ii) of section 2 of the
A notice to the legal representative of a deceased defaulter shall be issued in Form ESI
CP 31 which may be amended as the circumstances of each case may require.
16.5 Recovery from Surety (Rule 88 of the Second Schedule read with Rule 61 of ITCP Rule,
1962):
(1) Where any person has become surety under the recovery proceedings under the
Act for the amount due by the defaulter, he / she may be proceeded against as
if he / she were the defaulter.
(2) A notice to a surety shall be issued in Form ESI CP 14 which may be amended
as the circumstances of each case may require.
Any person who is entitled or required to attend before the Additional Commissioner,
Regional Director, Director, Joint Director (I/C) or any other officer who may be authorised
by the Central Government or the Recovery Officer in connection with any recovery
proceedings under the Act, otherwise than when required under Rule 84 of the Second
Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961 to attend personally for examination on oath
or affirmation may attend either in person or by an authorised representative.
Explanation:
(1) For this purpose authorised representative shall have the meaning assigned to
it in clauses (iii) to (vii) of sub-section (2) of section 288 of Income Tax Act, 1961.
(2) In any proceedings before the Recovery Officer, referred to in sub-clause (1) the
Authorised Officer concerned shall have the right to be heard either in person
of by a representative.
16.7 Procedure for distraint by Recovery Officer (Third Schedule to the Income Tax Act,
1961):
Where any distraint and sale of movable property are to be effected by any Authorised
Officer or Recovery Officer authorised for the purpose, such distraint and sale shall be
made, as far as may be, in the same manner as attachment and sale of any movable
property attachable by actual seizure, and the provision contained in the Second
Schedule relating to attachment and sale shall, so far as may be, apply in respect of
such distraint and sale.
1. The Recovery Officer shall receive the certificate from the Authorized officers for
recovering the amount in arrears of Contribution, Interest & Damages in form C-19,
C-19 (Interest) and D-19 respectively. These Certificates would be entered in the respective
C-18 & D-18 Registers in the respective Revenue Branches.
2. The Recovery Officer shall also receive Recovery Certificates from other Recovery
Officers in cases where the location of the Unit where recovery is to be effected is in
his jurisdiction.This Recovery Certificate will be in form ESICP 1.
3. As soon as the Certificates are received as at 1 or 2 above, the Recovery Section will
enter the Dues in the system and the Master Register (Certificate Control Register)
manually and allot a serial number to the Certificate.
4. The Recovery Officer thereafter generates a Demand Notice in form ESICP 2 and shall
cause to be served upon the Defaulter. The Recovery Officer will be giving 15 days
time to the defaulting employer to make the payment of the Dues specified. A copy
of the ESICP 2 issued will also be marked to the Social Security Officer (Recovery) for
further follow-up action.
5. The SSO (Recovery) will immediately ascertain the details of Bank Account number,
various movable, immovable properties and different assets held by the Defaulter and
collect a list of all the particulars to enable the Recovery Officer to swing into action
immediately after expiry of the Notice Period. The Revenue Branch file could be consulted
to check up the available details from the Inspection Reports of the Unit.
6. Immediately after the expiry of the 15 days Notice Period, the Recovery Officer should
proceed to realize the amount in arrears in accordance with the provisions of section
45C to 45I of the Act.
7. In cases where the employer is a chronic Defaulter, the Dues to be recovered are quite
substantial and there are perceptible chances of the employer rushing to the Court
and obtaining a stay etc., the Recovery Officer has full powers to waive the Notice
Period and direct the employer to pay the Dues forthwith/immediately on receipt of
such Notice. In such cases, the Recovery Officer can proceed to realize the amount in
8. Once the Notice Period is over, the Recovery Officer shall proceed to realize the
amount in arrears by one or more of the following modes:
(d) by appointing a receiver for the management of the Defaulters movable and
immovable properties.
9. Generally, the Recovery Officers opt to recover the amount in arrears from the Defaulter
by way of:
iii. Garnishee proceedings against the Bankers/third party. [Sec.45G(3)(x) of the Act].
Explanatory note on (i) above: The Bank Accounts including the fixed/term deposits of
the Defaulter can be attached by issuing a Prohibitory Order in form ESICP 4 on the
Bank under Rule 26(1) (i) of the Second Schedule to the IT Act, 1961 followed by
transfer Orders on the Banker to transfer the amount due alongwith cost and charges
of recovery etc. As the entire Bank operation of the Defaulter comes to a stand still,
pressure is brought on the Defaulter to settle the arrears (Dues) of the Corporation.
Explanatory note on (ii) and (iii) above: The Bank Accounts including the fixed/term
deposits of the Defaulter can be attached by issuing a Garnishee Order in form as
given in Appendix 18 on the Bank under Section 45G (3) of the ESI Act, 1948, followed
by transfer Orders on the Banker to transfer the amount due alongwith cost and
charges of recovery etc. The Garnishee Order does not completely freeze the Bank
Account of the Defaulter. The Banker just sets aside the amount specified in the
Notice as arrears and permits the Defaulter to operate the Bank Account with the
balance amount and also withdraw that balance, if so desired by the Defaulter. The
said procedure lacks the immediate impact on Recovery as is the case of Attachment
by issue of Prohibitory Order as explained under (i) above, as because no such pressure
is felt by the Defaulter, when he has a substantial amount of money in the Bank than
what is due to the Corporation. On the other hand, the Bankers send reply to the
Recovery Officer that they would get clearance from their own legal divisions on the
validity of the Garnishee Order before transferring the Dues. This time gap is sufficient
enough for the Defaulter to approach the Court of law and obtain a stay Order against
the relevant certificate.
However the Garnishee Order comes handy in situations when rent or other recurring
sources of income are to be attached till the Dues are completely realized. In case of
any default of such transfer of Dues by the Garnishee (Banker / Third party) , necessary
action such as issue of summons/Notice (Appendix 19) to the Garnishee under
Sec.45G3(x) of the ESI Act, 1948 read with Second and Third Schedule of the Income
Tax Act, 1961 and Income Tax ( Certificate Proceedings) Rules, 1962, Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 duly affording date and time for appearance before the Recovery
Officer by any responsible person duly authorized along with Books of Acounts including
the F.D/T.D held by the said unit / employer/along with any material on which m they
intend to reply, but necessarily with all statements and relevant records, in support of
their contention justifying non-compliance with the said Orders. In case of non
appearance / representation in person, the said Garnishee shall be held as Deemed
Defaulter and further course of Recovery Action for recovery of said outstanding
10. The Recovery Officer can proceed to realize the amount in arrears by
Attachment of movable property can be done after 15 days from the date
of service of Notice of demand in form ESICP 2.
The attached articles have then to be removed either to the Office of the
Recovery Officer or to a place for safe custody. The expenses incurred on
transportation are to be paid by the Defaulter and in case he fails to pay,
the Corporation may defray the expenses and recover the same from the
Defaulter by adjustment from out of the money realised on sale of the
attached articles. In case of heavy articles, the SSO (Recovery) may, with
the previous approval of the Recovery Officer, entrust, subject to his right
of supervision, the attached movable property to the Defaulter on his
executing duly stamped Bond in form ESICP 13.
In the case of agricultural produce and growing crops, the copies of the
warrant of Attachment shall be affixed: (i) on the land where the crop is
the Recovery Officer shall make arrangements for the custody, watching,
tending, cutting and gathering thereof.
the Recovery Officer may permit the Defaulter to tend to the crop.
the Recovery Officer may appoint any other person to tend the crop and
the costs incurred by such person shall be recoverable from the Defaulter.
The stay shall be effective until the Recovery Officer: (a) cancels the
Notice (b) the Recovery Officer or the Defaulter applies to the Court
to execute the Decree.
As soon as the Court receives the application, the Court shall proceed
to execute the attached Decree, and apply the net proceeds in
satisfaction of the certificate. The attached Decree can be realised by
execution only, and cannot be sold in execution.
If the property has been erroneously attached under Rule 23, such
Attachment shall be released under sub-rule 4 of Rule 11 of the
Second Schedule and fresh Attachment under Rule 28 of the Second
Schedule to be made.
Court or Public Officer duty bound to hold or remit the amount due
to the Recovery Officer.
The sale could however be made within 15 days: where the property
is subject to speedy and natural decay , expenses of safe keeping
exceeds the value of the property and the Defaulter consents for an
early sale.
If the produce is growing crop, the sale shall be on or near the land
on which such crop has grown.
If the produce has been cut or gathered at or near the threshing floor
or fodder stack etc, the sale shall be made therein.
Recovery Officer can also direct the sale at nearest place of public
resort, if advantageous.
The sale can be postponed if a fair price is not offered and Defaulter
applies to have the sale on the next day.
If the growing crop is such that it can be stored after its harvest, the
date of sale shall be fixed only after the crop has been cut or gathered
and is ready for storing.
If the crop is such that it not capable of being stored after it is cut,
or it would be more advantageous, if it is sold in an unripe stage, the
crop may be sold before it is harvested and the purchaser shall be
entitled to enter on the land and do all that is necessary to tend, cut
or gather the crop.
The officer holding the sale is required to pay the entire amount
received from the bidder to the ESI fund A/c No 1 forthwith and
submit a full report to the Recovery Officer.
(ix) Irregularity not to vitiate sale but any person injured may sue:
The Recovery Officer can be sued if the movable property sold does
not belong to the Defaulter.
11. The Recovery Officer can proceed to realize the amount in arrears by
Attachment of immovable property can be done after 15 days from the date of
service of Notice of demand in form ESICP 2.
The Recovery Officer after incorporating all the essential ingredients collected
(after issue of ESICP 18) shall issue a proclamation of sale in ESI CP 17. The
proclamation shall be made by drumbeat at some place on or adjacent to the
property attached. The proclamation may also be made by other customary
modes (advertisements in local daily etc) including by oral announcements in
the local language or the language of the district in addition to in English.
The time interval between the affixture of proclamation and the date of sale
should be 30 days, however the sale can be held earlier only when the Defaulter
agrees in writing.
The sale of the property shall be by Public Auction to the highest bidder and
shall be subject to confirmation by the Recovery Officer. No sale will be made
if the bid amount by the highest bidder is less than the Reserve Price. Once the
property is knocked down in favour of the highest bidder the purchaser shall pay
a deposit of 25% of the sale value immediately to the SSO (Recovery) / Government
Auctioneer conducting the sale failing which the property shall forthwith be
resold.
The full amount of purchase price shall be paid by the purchaser to the Recovery
Officer within 15 days from the date of sale, failing which the Recovery Officer
may forfeit the deposit paid earlier.
The Defaulter or any person whose interest is affected by the sale may
apply for setting aside a sale within 30 days from the date of sale to the
Recovery Officer alongwith a deposit amount as specified in the proclamation
of sale with interest @ 15% p.a. from the date of proclamation to the date
of deposit and for payment to the purchaser as penalty equal to 5% of the
purchase money but not less than rupee one.
The purchaser can also apply for setting aside a sale on the ground that
the Defaulter has no saleable interest in the property within 30 days of
sale i.e. before the confirmation of the sale.
No Order for setting aside the sale shall be made by the Recovery Officer
unless a Notice to interested parties to show cause why the sale should
not be set aside is made in form ESICP 21.
The sale can be set aside in the following circumstances: the Defaulter has
not been served with a Notice under Rule2 i.e ESICP 2 to pay the arrears;
some material irregularity has taken place in publishing or conducting of
the sale; the Defaulter has sustained substantial injury as a result of such
non service or irregularity; the Defaulter has deposited the amount
recoverable from him.
If the Recovery Officer does not receive any application for setting aside
the sale or having received, disallows the same, he/she shall make an
Order confirming the sale and thereupon the sale shall become absolute.
However, such confirmation of sale can be issued only on receiving the full
purchase money and not before the expiry of 30 days from the date of
sale. The Order of confirmation of sale is issued by the Recovery Officer in
form ESICP 22.
Where an Order for the sale of immovable property has been made, if the
Defaulter can satisfy the Recovery Officer that there is reason to believe
that the amount of the certificate may be raised by mortgage or lease or
private sale of such property, or some part thereof, or of any other immovable
property of the Defaulter, the Recovery Officer shall grant a certificate to
the Defaulter authorising him to mortgage, lease or sell property in form
ESICP 20 and postpone the sale of the property attached. Provided that all
moneys payable under such mortgage, lease or sale shall be paid, not to
the Defaulter, but to the ESI Recovery Officer. Provided also that no mortgage,
lease or sale under this rule shall become absolute until it has been confirmed
by the Recovery Officer.
When a resale is to be ordered for the reason that the highest bidder did
not made full payment as per the time schedule, the Recovery Officer
should follow the same procedure de-novo.
As per Rule 8 of the Second Schedule, the Defaulter is liable to bear the
expenses of Attachment and sale. The interest payment to the purchaser
in case of setting aside of sale is to be borne by the Defaulter and not by
the Corporation.
12. The Recovery Officer can proceed to realize the amount in arrears by appointment of
a Receiver as detailed below :
Attachment of business under sub clause (1) shall be made by an Order in form
ESI CP 24 prohibiting the Defaulter from transferring or charging the business in
any way and prohibiting all persons from taking any benefit under such transfer
or charge and intimating that the business has been attached under the proceedings.
A copy of the Order of Attachment shall be served on the Defaulter, and another
copy shall be affixed on a conspicuous part of the premises in which the business
carried on and on the Notice board of the office of the Recovery Officer.
Some examples of the types of business that can be selected for appointment
of Receiver are:
Cinema Theatres,
(a) furnish such security (if any) as the Recovery Officer thinks fit, duly
to account for what he shall receive in respect of the property.
(b) submit his accounts at such periods and in such form as the Recovery
Officer directs;
(c) pay the amount due from him as the Recovery Officer directs; and
(d) be responsible for any loss occasioned to the property by his wilful
default or gross negligence.
(2) The Receiver shall maintain true and regular accounts of the receivership
and shall in particular maintain a cash book in which shall be entered from
day to day all receipt and payments and also a ledger. He shall also maintain
a counterfoil receipt book with the leaves numbered serially in print, from
which shall be given as far as possible, all receipts for payments made to
the Receiver.
(3) Unless the Recovery Officer otherwise directs, the Receiver shall, as soon
as may be after his appointment, open an account in the name of the
receivership in such Bank as the Recovery Officer may direct and shall
deposit therein all moneys received in the course of the receivership
immediately on receipt thereof save any minimum sums that may be required
for meeting day to day current expenses. All payments by the receiver
shall, as far as possible, be made by cheques drawn on the Bank Account.
(4) Unless otherwise ordered, a Receiver shall submit his accounts once in
every three months. The first of such accounts commencing from the date
of his appointment and ending with the expiry of three months there from
The Recovery officer may, by special or general Order, fix the amount to be paid
as remuneration for the services of the Receiver.
There is no express provision in the Schedule for fixing the term or removal from
office, of the receiver. The expression management.. may be withdrawn at
any time indicates that the receiver holds office at the discretion of the Recovery
Officer. This is also supported from the language of the penultimate paragraph
of Form No ESICP 25. As a Rule, a receiver should not be allowed to continue in
office if he fails to comply with the Recovery Officers Orders to submit his
accounts.
13. The Recovery Officer can proceed to realize the amount in arrears by
The Recovery Officer shall issue a Notice in form ESICP 26 to the Defaulter to
show cause as to why a warrant of arrest should not be issued when he/she is
satisfied that the Defaulter has dishonestly transferred, concealed or removed
any part of his property after execution of the certificate in form ESICP 2 or the
Defaulter has the means to pay the arrears, but refuses or neglects to pay the
same.
In case of non appearance / non compliance against the said show cause Notice,
the Recovery Officer shall issue a warrant of arrest in form ESICP 27 authorizing
the SSO (Recovery) to arrest the Defaulter.
When the Defaulter appears before the Recovery Officer in obedience to the
Show Cause Notice or is brought before the Recovery Officer after arrest, the
Defaulter is given an opportunity to Show Cause as to why he should not be
committed to the Civil Prison.
The Recovery Officer shall issue an Order of release in form ESICP 29 on the
ground that: the Defaulter has paid the full amount of the certificate including
other charges to the officer in charge of the civil prison; when the Defaulter has
disclosed the whole of his property and has placed it at the disposal of the
Recovery Officer; on grounds of illness of Defaulter. Re-arrest on same default
not possible.
Ladies, minors and persons of unsound mind are exempt from arrest.
14. The Recovery Officer can also proceed against the buyers or lessees of the said property
by invoking Section 93-A of the Act followed by Bank Attachment/Property Attachment
against them by treating them as deemed Defaulters.
15. In case of closure of the Unit, the movable/immovable property belonging to the said
Defaulting Unit should be attached by duly executing the inventory and panchanama
in accordance with the existing procedure. (only in case of proprietorship of partnership
units)
16. In case the Defaulting Unit is not in existence, the Principal employers or the Immediate
Employers residential property alongwith the furniture and fixtures should be attached
after completing the process of panchanama etc.
17. Where the employer has expired the Recovery Officer shall issue Notice under Section
39 (5) of the ESI Act read with rule 85 of the Second Schedule to the IT Act, 1961 and
rule 60 of the ITCP Rules, 1962 (except arrest and detention) to the legal heirs in form
ESICP 31 to clear the amount due within 15 days.
18. Where the unit is not in existence, but the whereabouts of the Defaulter is known, the
procedure for Arrest and Detention should be followed to realize the amount due
under the Act.
CONDUCT OF AUCTION
18.1 What is auction? -Rules 43 and 44 of the Second Schedule deal with auctions. A public
auction has been described as the proceeding at which people are invited to compete
for the purchase of property by successive offers of advancing sums. Where bids are
not invited there cannot be a sale by public auction. A sale for a predetermined,
nominal sum cannot be held to be sale by public auction in the absence of any
provision for such sales in the statute. As has been held by the Supreme Court, the
power of the Government to effect a sale of property of the defaulter for arrears of
revenue by summary process is a special process resting on public grounds, and limitations
on that power should be strictly construed.
18.2 Who is to hold auction? - Rule 13 of the Second Schedule empowers the Recovery
Officer to direct any officer to attach and sell movable or immovable property in the
course of recovery proceedings. Generally the SSO (Recovery) is directed to perform
the task. If however, the Recovery Officer considers that it will be more advantageous
to appoint a person other than an official subordinate to him to sell a property, he
may appoint a fit person for the purpose and fix the remuneration to be allowed to
him for rendering such services and the remuneration payable to such person shall be
regarded as the cost of the sale. The person conducting the sale must submit a report
of the sale to the Recovery Officer. He should also remit the money collected from the
auction purchaser into the ESI Fund Account No.1.
18.3 One of the most important duties of the Recovery Officer is to conduct public auctions.
This aspect of the work demands some of the best qualities of the Officer. It requires
leadership tact, ability to recognize, capacity to deal with the public, tenacity, patience
and above all good public relations. A public auction has to be meticulously planned,
methodically organized and carefully executed.
(a) Advertisement through newspapers etc.: - The first step is to advertise the auction.
The Recovery Officer may, in his discretion, get an auction notice published in
the official gazette, or a local newspaper, or both. The publication of the auction
(A) Movable property: The next step is to ensure that all the required particulars
of the property are collected and kept ready. If the property to be sold is,
say, a motor car, the Inspector must have with him the registration certificate,
the insurance policy, a letter from the Road Transport Authority regarding
the arrears due, and any other information necessary. In the case of jewels
and jewellery, a certificate from the goldsmith regarding the weight and
value thereof must also be obtained. In the case of articles like; refrigerator,
washing machine, television set, music systems, computers including personal
computers, transistor, cameras, tape recorders etc., it is always better to
have them valued by the authorised dealer. Minor defects in the instruments
may be got repaired, so that they may fetch a better price. The expenses
of repairs can be treated as costs. Wherever possible, the estimate of the
value of the properties may be obtained in writing from the persons who
deal in them. The Inspector must prepare a list of all the articles with the
approximate value thereof and keep it ready at the time of the auction.
(i) In the case of land, the following data/ documents will have to be
collected:
The title deed of the property or if the title deed is not available,
a copy of the patta certified by the Tahasildar;
(ii) House Property:- In the case of buildings, the requisite date will include
the plinth area of the building, the number of rooms contained in it,
the age of the building, the type of construction, the names of the
tenants and the amount of rent paid by them and the dates of
commencement of the tenancies. The last item of information will
enable the Corporation to see whether the building had been let out
unauthorized (i.e., without the permission of the Recovery Officer)
subsequent to the date of service of the demand notice (ESICP 2).
(c) Terms & conditions of the auction:- The terms and conditions of the auction
must be prepared, cyclostyled and kept ready for distribution amongst the
bidders. A specimen of the terms and conditions are given below for inference:
General
8. Each bidder should clearly state the name and address of himself,
if he is bidding for himself or the name and address of a third
party on whose behalf he is bidding.
9. There is a reserve price fixed and if the highest bid is less than
this reserve price even though the SSO (Recovery) conducting
auction must have knocked down in favour of the highest bidder
the Recovery Officer in his discretion may decline to accept
such bid.
11. The SSO (Recovery) conducting the sale shall have the discretion
to adjourn the sale for any reason subject to the provisions of
the Second Schedule to the Income-tax Act, 1961. There is no
necessity for fresh proclamation sale to be issued if the
adjournment is for a period of not more than 30 days.
13. Two or more persons can join together and bid but they should
declare their specific shares at the time of auction. In the absence
it will be deemed they have equal shares. Only one sale certificate
will be issued in case of immovable property, however, in their
joint names. If the names and shares are mentioned such persons
get right for that share in the property.
14. The SSO (Recovery) conducting the auction may insist on a suitable
deposit amount by all the bidders who are taking part in the
auction. The deposit amount in the case of the successful bidder
will be adjusted towards the bid amount. In the case of
unsuccessful bidders the deposit amount will be returned at
the close of the auction.
15. All the bidders should note that in case the full amount of
arrears due for which the proclamation of sale has been given
is paid before the conclusion of the auction, the auction will
automatically become cancelled. On no account the bidders can
claim any costs, expenses or other compensation for their having
attended and participated in the auction. Similarly, in case there
is any stay from any authority including the Court, the auction
will be postponed or cancelled without any further notice and
the persons participating in the auction cannot claim any damages
etc., for such postponement.
17. The SSO (Recovery) conducting the auction reserves the right to
prevent any individual from participating in the bid if he is satisfied
that such an individuals presence may impede the progress of
the auction.
1. The entire price shall be paid at the time of the sale or as soon
thereafter as the Inspector conducting the auction directs and
2. After the payment of the price the article will be handed over
on the spot and a certificate of sale will be issued by the SSO
(Recovery).
3. The goods will be sold on the assumption that the bidders have
inspected the lots and have known that they are buying whether
they have actually inspected them or not and no complaints as
to the quality, quantity, size, measurements, breakage, number,
weights etc., of the goods will be entertained from the buyers
by weight or number and the purchaser fails to obtain delivery
of the whole or a portion of the goods sold, he shall not be
entitled to make any claim other than for proportionate refund
of the value of the undelivered quantity. He shall not be entitled
to claim any damage, loss or profit, interest or compensation,
on any account.
4. The goods sold will have to be removed by the buyer from the
place of the storage within the period permitted by the Inspector
conducting the auction. The purchaser will have to make his
own arrangements for the transport and he will not be entitled
to claim any facility or assistance for transport from this
department.
5. The goods shall remain in every respect at the risk of the buyer
from the time of acceptance of his bid and the department
shall not be under any liability for the safe custody or preservation
thereof from that date.
3. For any reason if the sale is not confirmed but is set aside, then
the entire purchase money paid will be refunded to the highest
bidder together with interest at such rate as will be allowed by
the Recovery Officer and also with an extra 5% of the money in
certain circumstances.
7. After confirmation of the sale and after the issue of the sale
certificate the delivery of the immovable property will be made
by a beat of drum at the locality announcing that from the date
of the sale, it has become absolute and the purchaser has become
owner of the property.
(d) Fixation of Reserve Price: The reserve price is the minimum stipulated
price below which no bid will be accepted. Where a reserve price is fixed
and the bid amount falls short of it, the Recovery Officer /SSO (Recovery)
conducting the sale shall not accept the bid. A reserve price is generally
fixed to protect the interest of the decree-holder-the Recovery Officer here.
The Recovery Officer should fix the reserve price or engage a Government
approved Valuer for valuation of the property (Land and Building) and
fixing its reserve price. This reserve price is to be indicated in the proclamation
in ESICP17. The Recovery Officer is competent to order auction without
fixing a reserve price in cases where, on the earlier occasions when the
property was put up for sale by public auction, there were no bidders, or
the bids made were less than the reserve price. In such cases, it is advisable
to obtain the prior permission of the Director General /Insurance
Commissioner of the Corporation to notify the fact that no reserve price
has been fixed. It is pointless to hold several in fructuous auctions when
the bids do not match the reserve price.
(e) Whether restrictions imposed by Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act
apply to recovery proceedings? - According to Instruction No.1103 issued
by the CBDT vide letter no. F.No.403/4/77-ITCC dated 28th September, 1977,
the restrictions on transfer of land imposed by sub-section (3) of section
5 and sub-section (4) of section (10) of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation)
Act apply only to voluntary sales, and not to involuntary sales like acquisition
proceedings under Chapter XXA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Since the
restriction on transfer of land imposed by the Urban Land (Ceiling and
Regulation) Act is not applicable to the sale effected by the Recovery Officer
under the provisions of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961,
it is not necessary to give notice to or to apply for permission of the
competent authority under sections 26 or 27 of the Urban Land (Ceiling
and Regulation) Act. However, the sale should be made and the possession
given to the auction purchaser before the notification vesting the property
Boldly, printed notices and banners may be displayed at the auction venue,
supplemented on the date of the auction by the beating of drum and
announcements over the public address system.
(a) The Recovery Officer should reach the venue well in advance and check the
arrangements made. He should take along with him the SSO (Recovery) who
shall conduct the auction and sufficient number of clerks and two Group D
officials to assist in the course of the auction. The services of the clerks could
be utilized in the preparation of bidders list, bidding sheet, cash receipts, sale
certificates etc. The Group D officials can help distribute copies of the terms and
conditions etc.
(b) Who may participate in the auction? The auction has to be commenced at the
exact time indicated in the proclamation of sale. If there is any delay, the reasons
(c) Bidding by the Authorised Officer when permissible:- A new rule 59(1) in the
Second Schedule to the I.T. Act , 1961 has been inserted w.e.f. 1-10-1975 by
Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1975, by which the Authorised Officer can bid
at the auction if the following conditions are satisfied.
(i) An earlier sale where reserve price had been specified in the proclamation
under Rule 53(cc) had been postponed for want of bids equal to or more
than the reserve price; and
(d) Identification of the real bidder :- Rule 59(2) of the Second Schedule aims at
identifying the real bidder. All bidders are required to declare if they are bidding
on their own behalf or on behalf of their principals. Where a bidder is acting
only as an agent, he has to deposit with the Recovery Officer/ SSO (Recovery)
conducting the auction the authority from his principal. If he fails to do so, he
should not be allowed to bid and if he bids, his bid should be rejected. The
Recovery Officer/ SSO(Recovery) conducting the auction should also insist on
some initial deposits from all persons who intend to bid in the auction with a
view to eliminating those who are not at all interested in bidding but have just
come to witness the auction.
(e) Inspection of property by bidders and the mode of conducting auction :- As the
auction commences, the SSO(Recovery) conducting the auction must read out
the full description of the property as given in the proclamation of sale and also
mention the value of the property, its encumbrances etc. If the bidders desire
to inspect the property, movable or immovable, the SSO (Recovery) must permit
the inspection. If necessary, he may take them round the property and answer
all the questions they may like to ask. Thereafter, all the bidders will assemble
The Recovery Officer/ SSO (Recovery) conducting the auction should then fix the
rate at which each bid should be increased. He has no doubt the discretion to
fix the rate; however, the rate must be commensurate with the value of the
property. Thus, if the property is worth Rs.10, 000, a rate of increase of Rs.100
will be quite reasonable. If the value of the property is say Rs.1 lakh, any rate
of increase less than Rs.1,000 may not be proper. The Inspector may also announce
that the rate of increase itself may be changed according to the circumstances.
(f) The bidding sheet and bidders list (preparation of):- A bidders list indicates the
names of the bidders, their age and profession and the amounts deposited by
them. The bidders signatures are obtained on the list. The particulars of the
public auction are stated at the top of the list. A specimen of the bidders list is
given at Appendix 6.
A bidding sheet incorporates the names of actual bidders and the amounts bid
by each of them right from the beginning. To illustrate Let A, B & C be the
bidders. A opens the auction with a bid of Rs.1,000, B responds with a call of
Rs.1100, which is followed by Cs bid of Rs.1400 which is raised by A to Rs.1500.
Now, against A the figures 1000 and 1500 are shown, and against B and C the
figures 1100 & 1400 respectively. The bidding sheet thus enables one to find out
the amounts bid by each bidder in the course of the auction of a particular item
of property. At the end of the auction, when the property is knocked down in
favour of A, the SSO (recovery) conducting the auction records an entry at the
bottom of the bidding sheet to the effect that the property was knocked down
in favour of A for a sum of Rs.1500. If the sale is subject to confirmation by the
Recovery Officer, a suitable entry to that effect is also to be recorded. The
signature of two witnesses, preferably of those who participated in the bid should
invariably be obtained on the bidding sheet. A specimen of bidding sheet is
given at Appendix 7. At the commencement of the auction, the bidders list is
prepared and as the auction is in progress, the bidding sheet is filled in.
(g) Announcement regarding bidders and the amount of bid:- In the course of the
auction, the name of the bidder and the amount of bid must be loudly and
clearly announced. As far as possible, long gaps of time between one bid and
(h) Adjournment of bidding: - If the biddings do not cease before the close of the
day, the auction can be continued the next day. There is no limit to the continuance
of the auction on such grounds. Should it however become necessary to adjourn
the auction to another day for any other reason, an endorsement to that effect
must be made on the bidding sheet and the signature of at least 2 bidders
obtained. The date, time and place of the postponed auction must be clearly
stated. Failure to do so is a material irregularity. Rule 15 of the Second Schedule
provides the manner in which adjournment can be made. No adjournment can
be made for a period beyond 30 days.
(i) Knocking down of property:- A property is knocked down in favour of the highest
bidder and this is indicated by the fall of the auctioneers hammer. When the
property is knocked down, the SSO (Recovery) conducting the auction must
announce openly that the property has been knocked down in favour of the
successful bidder. Then he should make the following endorsement on the bidding
sheet sign it, and obtain the signatures of the auction purchaser and two witnesses,
preferably two of the unsuccessful bidders.
The property bearing No. ________________ auctioned today for the realisation
of the arrears in the case of Shri ________________ has been knocked down in
favour of the highest bidder Shri ________________ for a sum of Rs. ________________
today at ________________ subject to confirmation by the Recovery Officer (in
case of immovable property).
On the payment of the bid amount plus poundage by the successful bidder,
the movable property must be delivered to him, together with a cash
receipt and a sale certificate in Form No. ESICP 19. An acknowledgement
in token of having received the property must be obtained from him.
(b) In the cases where the balance of amount is paid within the stipulated 15days
time, the sale can be confirmed by the Recovery Officer, only if no petitions for
setting aside the sale under rules 11, 60, 61 or 62 are filed. Even here, in as
much as petitions for setting aside the sale can be filed any time within 30 days
from the date of sale, the sale can be confirmed only after the 30 day period is
over. In cases where petitions are filed under the said rules, the sale cannot be
confirmed unless the petitions are considered and rejected. If the petitions are
(c) Default of payment and its repercussions: When the highest bidder fails to make
the 25% initial deposit or after having made the initial deposit, defaults in paying
the balance amount within the prescribed period, the property will have to be
resold by public auction. Where the highest bid at the second auction exceeds
the payments made by the highest bidder in the first, it is open to the Recovery
Officer under Rule 58 of the Second Schedule to forfeit the payments made by
the highest bidder in the first auction, if he has not already done so prior to the
holding of the second auction. It may also happen that the highest bid in the
first auction is more than the highest bid in the second auction. In that case, it
is open to the Recovery Officer to take action under Rule 14 to recover from the
defaulting purchaser the difference between the two bids.
(d) Co-owner of property gets preference: A co-owner of the property that is put to
auction sale gets preference as a purchaser where he bids along with other
purchasers. There should be a definite bid from the co-owner in the auction sale
and not a mere claim to pre-emption before a property is knocked down. If the
co-owner bids the same sum as the highest bidder, the co-owners bid should be
accepted (Vide Rule 44 (3) and 68 of Second Schedule).
(e) Submission of report by SSO (Recovery): When the auction is over, the SSO
(Recovery) has to give to the Recovery Officer a report of the entire proceedings,
indicating the name of the highest bidder and the bid amount. In case any
incident occurs at the time of the auction, the Inspector should have a Panchanama
prepared.
1. Files
2. Revenue Recovery Manual
3. White papers
4. Carbons
Explanatory Notes:-
The register contains the details of certificates received from the Recovery Officers
of other regions for execution. The certificates so received should be subsequently
entered in the Certificate Control Register mentioned above.
The register contains the details of copy of certificates transferred in from ESI CP
1 to another Recovery Officer outside the region for continuing the recovery
proceedings from which they stood immediately before such transfer and such
transfer shall not render necessarily the re-issue of any notice, warrant,
proclamation, order or certificate already issued. The certificates so transferred
should be entered in the Certificate Control Register mentioned above.
The Register contains details of dishonored cheques for filing of complaint cases
against the defaulters under the Negotiable Instrument Act.
6) Cash Book:
The SSO (Recovery) is authorized to collect cash from defaulters while effecting
recovery of the arrears in the course of attachment of properties etc. (Rules 22,
47, 61 and 73 of the Second Schedule). The cash so collected should be remitted
into ESIC Fund A/C No.1 within 24 hours of its collection. The Officer should
scrupulously follow the detailed procedure laid down in the compilation E.S.I.
MANUAL OF AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS (VOLUME-1) Chapter III (Receipts of the
Corporation General Rules) for handling cash and payment of such monies into
ESIC Fund A/C No.1. Some of the salient points are given below:
(i) Each Officer receiving money on behalf of the Corporation should maintain
a Cash Book (A/C No. 1) wherein, the particulars of the date of collection,
the receipt number, the defaulters name and the amount collected on
Receipts side, and on Payments side, the date of remittance to ESI Fund A/
C No.1 (by challan), the defaulters name and amount remitted should be
entered.
(ii) Where the amount is collected in cash, the Officer concerned must issue
a machine numbered receipt to the defaulter, quoting the number and
date of Recovery Certificate against which the amount has been realised.
He must also give a cross reference of the receipt number and date, the
Bank challan number and date in all the relevant Recovery Certificates, and
also enter on the Bank challan, the number of Recovery Certificate to
which the realisation relates.
(iii) All monetary transactions should be entered in the Cash Book as soon as
they occur and in any case before the close of the day. The Cash Book
should be closed daily. The SSO (Recovery) should ensure that the amount
collected is remitted into the nearest Authorized Bank within 24 hours of
(v) For verification and checking of the Cash Book by the Recovery Officer
every month, the SSO (Recovery) should place all the challan chronologically
in a Loose Leaf Binder. This would facilitate the checking of the remittance
of the amounts into the Bank (ESI Fund A/C No.1) by the supervising audit
officials.
The SSO (Recovery) should be very careful in handling cash. Where amounts are
collected in mofussil stations, they should ensure that the amounts are remitted
in the nearest Authorised Bank forthwith. Otherwise there is the risk of losing
the money in which case they will be held personally liable to the extent of the
loss. They must therefore make it a point to remit the amount into the Bank
within 24 hours of its collection. If they cannot remit the amounts within 24
hours on account of, say, the inconvenient location of the bank, they must make
it a point not to collect such amounts, but give the defaulter challans so that
they can themselves remit the amounts on their own responsibility. On the
occasions when the Officers have to handle large amounts of cash, they can seek
the assistance of armed guards.
This Register is the source record for the collection and reduction figures to be
furnished in the Monthly Progress Report. The Officer should prepare a list of
collections and reductions and hand it over to the person who maintains the
Register and see that the necessary entries are made. This Register helps to
make entries in the main Register prescribed by the Directorate for showing the
The attaching Officer, i.e., the Recovery Officer/SSO (Recovery), is solely responsible
for the safe custody of the articles attached and brought to the office vide Rule
23 of the Second Schedule. It is therefore, necessary that the Recovery Officer/
SSO (Recovery) maintains two Registers, one for the movable property attached
and the other for the immovable property attached. These registers should give
information regarding the name of the defaulter, date of attachment, description
of the property attached, estimated value of the property, date of sale etc. The
proforma evolved for the maintenance of these registers are given in the Appendix
9 and Appendix 10.
In regard to moveable articles kept in the Strong Room, it is also necessary that
slips are pasted on each article giving Sl. No., name of the defaulter, the date of
attachment and serial number of the Register. This would enable the Officer to
locate the articles kept in the Strong Room easily when they are brought to sale
or released from attachment on payment of taxes.
This Register gives the number of warrants issued and executed by the SSO
(Recovery) for attachment of movable property under Rule 20 of the Second
Schedule. The proforma of the Register is given in Appendix 11. This would
enable the Officer to know how many warrants are pending with him for execution
and the time he is taking for execution of the warrants. At any time, the Officer
will be able to tell the number of warrants pending with him for execution.
The Register contains the details of defaulters who have made part payment
against the arrears due in execution of the certificate.
This Register, which contains the details of the cases in which stay has been
granted, enables the Recovery Officer to monitor the cases properly. The form
of the Stay Register is given in Appendix 13.
13) Installments Register:
This Register enables the Recovery Officer to see whether the defaulters adhere
to the time schedule of payments in cases where installment facility has been
granted. The form of the Register is given in Appendix 14.
14) Disposal Register for certificates finally disposed of (Closed Certificate Register):
The form of this Register is given in Appendix 15. The Register is meant for
incorporating the details of the final disposal of cases, where ESICP 2 had been
issued.
The articles attached by actual seizure are brought to the office of the Recovery
Officer and handed over to the official in-charge of the Strong Room after obtaining
his acknowledgement. The Strong Room In charge enters the particulars of the
articles in the Custody Register. A separate slip is affixed on each article including
the file number, the name of the defaulter, and date of attachment. It is pertinent
to mention here that the Recovery Officer/SSO (Recovery) is directed to obtain
the title deeds of the attached property from the defaulter. The Recovery Officer
should maintain proper record of such attached title deeds in custody register
and the same kept in the Strong Room.
The work done by the SSO (Recovery) day to day is to be entered in the Daily
Diary to be maintained by each SSO (Recovery). This is the basic record that
supplies all the information necessary for the preparation of statistical and other
reports. A useful aid to memory, the Diary merits regular and meticulous attention.
This register contains the details of prohibitory orders issued for attaching debts
(Bank Account, Fixed/Term), shares, decrees, salaries, interest in partnership
firms, negotiable instruments, etc., at any time after the issue of demand notice
This register contains the details of notice to show cause why the defaulter
should not be arrested and committed to civil prison in execution of the certificate
and subsequent issue of a warrant of arrest authorizing the SSO (Recovery) to
arrest the defaulter and bring him before the Recovery Officer forthwith.
The Register contains details of cases where recovery certificates have been re-
opened/kept in abeyance/cancelled/withdrawn from execution on account of
appellate reduction, rectifications etc., under Section 45AA of the Act.
The Register contains details of public auction made for movable (Rule 43 &44
of the Second Schedule) and immovable properties (Rule 56 &57 of the Second
Schedule) in execution of recovery certificates.
19.2 All the above registers are generally required to be maintained by the SSO (Recovery)/
Superintendant/Head Clerk attached to the Recovery Officer.
20.2 The clerk then prepares the notice of demand (ESICP 2) for each certificate and puts
it up to the Recovery Officer. Simultaneously on the duplicate copy of the ESICP 2, the
serial number of the certificate as entered in the Certificate Control Register and date
of preparation of the ESICP-2 are indicated.
On the basis of certificates relating to one defaulter, which as indicated earlier are
kept in one file, an arrear sheet is prepared for each file. This sheet is prepared in
three parts. In the first part, particulars of the certificates are entered. Further interest
and costs etc., recoverable from the defaulter are noted respectively in the second
and third parts. The payment made by the defaulter is also recorded on the arrear
sheet, as and when they are made.
20.3 The notices of demand (ESICP 2), duly signed by the Recovery Officer are then handed
over to Receipt & Issue section for dispatch. Sometimes the ESICP 2 is served through
Notice Servers. Each Notice Server is given a Process Servers Register in which the
notices given to him are entered and the progress of the service of notices watched
after service, the date of service is noted by the clerk who maintains the file of the
defaulter.
20.4 Recovery work is then allocated to the SSO (Recovery). The files given to the SSO
(Recovery) should be duly entered in the control register maintained by him for this
purpose. Once a week, the SSO (Recovery) submits to the Recovery Officer the files
together with a note explaining the action taken thereon. With the help of the notes,
20.5 The details of movable and immovable properties attached by the Recovery Officer/
SSO (Recovery), from time to time are entered in the Register maintained for the
purpose. The movable properties and title deeds of attached movable properties attached
by actual seizure and brought to the Office of the Recovery Officer are handed over
to the official in charge of the custody room.
20.6 When the time is ripe for selling the properties attached, the Recovery Officer assigns
to the SSO (Recovery), the task of issuing proclamation for sale and holding of auction.
When the sale is complete, the SSO (Recovery) shall submit a report to the Recovery
Officer.
20.7 The cash collected by the Recovery Officer/SSO (Recovery), is either directly remitted
by them into ESI fund A/C No.1 or handed over to the official authorised to deal with
cash. The official authorised to deal with cash on his part, enters the details of cash
collected in the Cash Book and thereafter remits the amount into the ESI fund A/C
No.1. Suitable entries are then made in the Recovery Control Register. The triplicate
portion of the challan is handed over to the clerk maintaining the recovery files, who
in turn, makes suitable entries in the files.
20.8 When the certified amount is fully collected, the certificate is closed and the fact
recorded in the register of Closed Certificates. The relevant file then is lodged in the
record room.
20.9 The work of a Recovery Officer is conveniently classified under two heads, viz., work
relating to old certificates in arrears and that relating to current certificates. In order
that the work might be controlled better, efforts to settle the old certificates may be
taken up on priority.
20.10 Duties of the SSO (Recovery) posted in the Office of the Recovery Officer:
The duties of the SSO (Recovery) may include any or all of the following items of work:
1. Service of the Notice of Demand under Rule 2 of the Second Schedule (Form No.
ESICP 2).
2. Execution of warrants for attachment of movable property (Form No. ESICP 3)
3. Execution of proclamation for sale of movable property (Form No. ESICP 17).
20.11 Duties of Supervisor/Head clerk when posted in Office of the Recovery Officer:
20.12 Functions of UDC / LDC when posted in Office of the Recovery Officer:
20.13 The functions of other functionaries such as Stenographer etc., are same as in other
branches of the Regional Office/Sub-Regional Office.
A Recovery Officer has been notified for each Regional Office/Sub-Regional Office to
recover the arrears under Section 45C to 45I of the Act.
Lack of reconciliation of the amount due between the Authorised Officer(s) and the
Recovery Officer often raises objection to the validity of the certificate by the defaulter.
For this purpose, dues should be categorized as:
Explanation: Since employer will be aware of only the amount as per C-19, whereas
at the time of each attachment, up to-date further Interest would have been added,
it would not be possible to distinguish to which claim the present execution has been
extended, details as above will help both the Recovery Cell, Revenue Branches and
also the Employer (defaulter) to identify and reconcile the payable dues.)
While proclaiming immovable property for sale, proclamation in the local language,
beating of drum in the cases of important personalities or VIPs.
Investigation under Rule 11 of the Second Schedule becomes difficult due to lack
of documentary evidence in the records, non-production of documentary evidence
by the defaulter and unsubstantiated claims by the petitioners.
Adjustment from Personal Deposit Accounts and sale of seized material from
bank lockers establishing identity and release of valuables.
Arrest and detention rarely used due to obvious problems especially availability
of funds under subsistence allowance and inadequate evidences build up to
satisfy Rule 73 of the Second Schedule.
In the Legal issues, most of the problems are on the title of the defaulter or
another, or/and others and between the Central Government and the State
When the matter is already pending with the Official Liquidator a valid claim
petition has to be made. But generally it is the experience that there will be no
information of communication from the official Liquidator as to the availability
or non-availability of pro-rata funds.
Shares and Securities related transactions have given rise to situation wherein a
future asset or asset in information could be attached and sold. But there are no
procedures in this regard, e.g. Forward Contracts, Rights issues.
1. The Recovery Officer should be in a position to be fully informed about the basic
details for proceeding with the recovery, particularly the details of the proprietors
properties, the bank account details and the assets of the unit like movable and
immovable properties, their telephone numbers, jurisdictional Police Station, Post
Office etc.
2. As soon as the Recovery Certificate is issued by the Authorized Officer, all the related
information will automatically get in to the system of Recovery Officer and necessary
updation will be made instantaneously.
3. In the system as soon as the C-19 is issued the follow-up notices would be readily
generated in the system by the due date which can be issued.
4. On the basis of the C-19s received, the details of arrears in the data base of the
Recovery Officer would automatically get up-dated and the over all position of arrears
would be available at any given point of time.
5. Further, in the follow-up action, issue of Prohibitory Orders, a lot of time of the
Recovery branch used to be spent on up-dating of outstanding arrears and calculating
further interest. But these steps would be completed by the system itself at the time
of generating the Prohibitory Orders.
6. Even after the recovery process is started, all further developments like, the stay
issued by the Courts, any part-payment made by the employer etc., would be available
straightaway in the system of Recovery Officer also and this would completely eliminate
any wrong action because of delayed receipt of communications etc.
7. All the standard forms used by the Recovery Officer for the purpose of seizure for
attachment of property, auction of property, garnishee proceeding etc., would be
8. The information of any new step taken, further development would get entered in all
the different registers of the Recovery Officer and the need of manual entries in
different registers would be completely eliminated.
9. With the introduction of the system of IT Roll Out there should be no difference in
information on arrears between Revenue Branches and the Recovery Branch and it
would fully tally besides giving the year wise arrears, classification of arrears like
interest, damages, further interest, principal amount, as well as the arrears pending
with public sector undertakings, industry wise details of arrears, BIFR cases etc.
10. This information would be available through the net work, even to Hqrs., and there
will be no need to make any reference to the Recovery Officers to collect this information.
11. At any given point of time the Recovery Officers would be in a position to generate
and to furnish the full details of the employers who are in arrears of say Rs.
50,000/- and above, Rs. 1.00 lakh and above, Rs.2.00 lakh and above and all other
classified information required for further purpose.
12. Thus, the IT enablement should completely eliminate voluminous records that were
maintained and also the labour involved in manual up dating the entries in all the
registers.
Total
Total :
Total
And whereas the said sum of Rs........................ has not been paid in satisfaction of the said certificates;
This is to direct you to serve a copy of this warrant on the defaulter and, unless after such service the
said defaulter pays forthwith the said sum of Rs........................ together with interest at 12 percent per annum
on Rs........................ from the date of the issue of this warrant and Rs........................ for the cost of executing
this process, to proceed to attach the movable property of the said defaulter and to hold the same until
further orders from the undersigned.
You are further directed to return this warrant on or before the ........................ day of
........................20........................ with an endorsement certifying the day on which and the manner in which it
has been executed, or the reason why it has not been executed.
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ this ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
RECOVERY OFFICER
Before me
........................ (Signature) ........................ (Signature)
........................ (Name) .............................. (Name)
........................ (Designation)
Date ........................ Date ........................
(SEAL)
*Score out whichever portion is not applicable.
It is hereby ordered that out of the property so attached, Rs........................ in current coins and
Rs........................ in currency notes shall be credited to ESI Fund A/C no.1 of the Corporation.
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
(SEAL) RECOVERY OFFICER
* Score out whichever portion is not applicable
+ Delete inappropriate words.
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ the ........................ day of ........................
Total
And whereas the said sum of Rs. ........................ has not been paid in satisfaction of the said certificate;
These are to command you to arrest the said defaulter and bring him before the undersigned as soon as
practicable and in any event within 24 hours of his arrest (exclusive of the time required for the journey)
unless the defaulter pays to you the said amount of Rs. ........................ together with further interest @12%
per annum on commencing immediately after the date of issue of this warrant and Rs. ........................ for the
cost of executing this process.
You are hereby further commanded to return the warrant on or before the ........................ day of
........................ with an endorsement certifying the day on which and the manner in which it has been executed
or the reason why it has not been executed. In case the defaulter is not found within the jurisdiction of the
undersigned, you are hereby authorized to move the Recovery Officer within whose jurisdiction the default
may for the time being be found for executing this warrant.
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ this ........................ day of ........................
Total
And whereas the undersigned is satisfied that the said ..................... should be committed to the civil
prison and an order to that effect has been passed by the undersigned on the ..................... day of .....................;
You are hereby commanded and required to take and receive the said ........................ into the civil prison
and to keep him imprisoned therein for a period of ........................ or until the amount aforesaid together with
further interest on Rs. ........................ at 12% per annum for the period commencing immediately after the
date of issue of this warrant payable in section 39 (5) (a) of the ESI Act, 1948 as amended, is paid to you or until
you receive an order of release from the undersigned.
The undersigned does hereby fix Rs. ........................ P........................ per diem (calculated under rule
90(2) of the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961) as the rate for subsistence of the said ........................
during his confinement under his warrant.
Signed
(appellant)
Form of verification
I ......................................................... the appellant, do hereby declare that what is stated above is true
to the best of my information and belief.
Place ................................ Signature ......................
Date ................... Status of appellant .....................
Notes:
1. The form of appeal, grounds of appeal and the form of verification appended theretoshall be signed
by a person in accordance with the provisions.
2. The form of appeal, grounds of appeal and statement of facts must be in duplicate.
3. If the space provided herein for the Statement of facts and grounds of appeal is insufficient, separate
enclosures may be used for the purpose.
We, the above mentioned Panchs on being called by the above said Shri ........................ SSO(Recovery)
of the Office of the Recovery Officer, gathered here today at the place of H.No........................ Sr.
No........................ of ........................ belonging to Shri ........................ and learned that Shri/M/s........................
is a defaulter for non-payment of arrears due to the Corporation etc., arrears to the extent of Rs........................
for the period ........................ and consequently the Recovery Officer ........................ has issued a warrant of
attachment of movable property of the defaulter in the form of ESICP 3 in the name of Shri ........................
SSO (Recovery)., on date ........................ No........................ and warrant is to be executed on or before date
........................ and in execution thereof Shri ........................ the holder of the warrant today, entered the
premises of warrant on Shri ........................ at ........................ A.M/PM., and after the service of warrant on
Shri ........................ demanded the payment of the arrears and on its non-payment, attached movable properties
as detailed in the inventory attached to this Panchnama between the hours ........................ A.M/PM and
........................ A.M/P.M in our presence.
We also hereby state that during the execution proceedings ........................ (to be filled in case of
occurrence of any incidence)
Therefore, we solemnly declare that the facts of the Panchnama mentioned herein are true & correct to
the best of our observations and knowledge.
Dated ........................ Time ........................
1. 3. 5.
2. 4.
Drawn before me
SSO (Recovery)
Sl. Description of Article Estimated value Place where kept for safe custody (Name of the
No. person if necessary)
Witness:-
Recovery Officer
1.
2.
3.
4
5.
Drawn before me
SSO (Recovery)
Knocked down in favour of ........................ for a sum of Rs. ........................ subject to confirmation of the sale
by the Recovery Officer and subject to provisions of the Second Schedule to the I.T. Act and the I.T.C.P Rules,
1962
Knocked down in favour of ........................ for a sum of Rs. ........................, subject to confirmation of
the sale by the Recovery Officer and subject to provisions of the Second Schedule to the I.T.Act,1961 and the
I.T.C.P. Rules, 1962.
Sl. Date Certificate Case Name and Code Ins./Rev. Branch Full/Part Contribution
No. No. No. of the Payment
Defaulter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
File Sl. Name & address Amount of Date of issue Date of Description
No. No. of defaulter arrear of Form attachment of articles
ESI CP 2/3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sl. Date Entry No. Name & Amount Date of Due date Progress Remarks
No. in C.C.R Address of arrears Factory/ of lodging made in
(Certificate of the Establish- claim to liquidation
(Certificate defaulter ment going the Official proceedings
Control into Liquidator
Register) liquidation/
BIFR & Sick
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sl. Date of Reference Name Date of Rent & Bank Accounts Movable Property
No. Disposal no. of entry of the Issue
in C.C.R. Defaulter
Register
PAN No. Service Attached Realised Attached Sold
ESICP-2 (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Recovery Officer
To
The ................................................ (Authorized officer)
E.S.I. (R.O./S.R.O./D.O.)
No. ........................
NOTICE
(UNDER SECTION 45G(3)(X) OF THE ESI ACT, 1948 READ WITH THE SECOND & THIRD SCHEDULE OF INCOME
TAX ACT, 1961 AND INCOME TAX (CERTIFICATE PROCEEDINGS) RULES, 1962.)
WHEREAS, the Branch Manager, ........................ (name of the bank) situated at ........................ was issued
a garnishee(s) order of even no, dated ........................ under section 45G of the ESI Act, 1948 to remit and
transfer an amount of Rs. ........................ (in words) which includes interest up to ........................ on the
contribution due from the Accounts maintained by M/S ........................ (name of the defaulter) who has failed
to pay the statutory dues to the Corporation.
WHEREAS, the said garnishee order(s) was +duly served on the Branch Manager /+sent by Regd. Post
with Acknowledgement due on ........................ and the same has been duly received as per records of this
office. However, the Branch Manager * failed to remit/transfer the amount mentioned in the garnishee order(s)
dated ........................ despite sufficient credit balance available with the Bank/* the Garnishee allowed debits
from the account no. ........................ of the defaulter circumventing the Garnishee order,
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to initiate coercive steps in accordance with the provisions under
the ESI Act, 1948 read with the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the Branch Manager
........................ (name) and ........................ (name of Bank) declaring them as DEEMED DEFAULTERS of the
amount specified in the garnishee notice.
WHEREAS, before taking such action, you, are hereby summoned to appear before the undersigned in
person or through an authorized representative on ........................ at ........................ AM/PM at ........................
(address) along with the following documents to show cause/explain as to why you and ........................ (name
of bank) should not be declared DEEMED DEFAULTERs of the amount specified in the garnishee notice and the
said amount recovered from you:-
WHEREAS, take notice that non-compliance with the summon shall be punishable under Section 32 of
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 & action as deemed fit under ESI Act, 1948 read with Second Schedule of
Income Tax shall be taken by the undersigned.
(GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL AT ........................ THIS ........................ DAY OF ........................)
Encl: As Above
TO,
................................................
Copy to:-
M/s. ................................................
........................................................
Note: The specimen Show cause notice may be used for THIRD PARTY with appropriate modifications.
No. ........................
ORDER
(UNDER SECTION 45G (3)(x)OF THE ESI ACT, 1948 READ WITH THE SECOND & THIRD SCHEDULE OF INCOME
TAX ACT, 1961 AND INCOME TAX (CERTIFICATE PROCEEDINGS) RULES, 1962.)
WHEREAS, the Branch Manager ................................................ (name of bank), was issued a Garnishee
order of even No. dated ........................ under section 45G of ESI Act read with Second Schedule of the Income
Tax Act, 1961 & Income Tax (Certificate proceedings) rules, 1962 to freeze and restrain the Account maintained
by M/s. ........................ to the extent of Rs. ........................ (in words).
WHEREAS, *the Bank failed to remit/transfer the amount mentioned in the garnishee order(s) dated
........................ despite sufficient credit balance available with the Bank / * the Garnishee allowed debits from
the account no. ........................ of the defaulter circumventing the Garnishee order, for which a summon vide
notice of even No. dated ........................ was issued to the Manager ........................ (name of the Bank), giving
him an opportunity to appear before the undersigned on ........................ at ........................ AM/PM along with
the statement of all accounts maintained by the defaulter for the period from ........................ to ........................
to explain as to why he / bank should not be declared as DEEMED DEFAULTERS of the amount specified in the
garnishee notice.
WHEREAS, after considering the submission of the Branch Manager / Authorized representative and
the statement of accounts of the defaulter submitted by him, I hold both the Bank as well as the Branch
Manager as DEEMED DEFAULTERS under the provisions of ESI Act, 1948. (Details of the findings to be given)
WHEREAS, I, Shri ................................................ (Recovery Officer), who is also the officer, authorized
under section 45G of the ESI Act, 1948 as amended hereby, declare the Branch Manager ........................ (Name)
and ........................ (name of the Bank) as DEEMED DEFAULTERS under Section 45G(3)(x) of the ESI Act, 1948.
As such, the arrears due payable by M/s. ................................................ (name of the defaulter) amounting to
Rs. ........................ (in words) along with statutory interest @ 15% p.a. from 9-2-2001 up to 30-09-2005 and @
12% p.a. from 1-10-2005 to till date, have now, become recoverable from ........................ (name of the Bank).
Hence, you, the Branch Manager ........................ (name of the Bank) are hereby, ordered to pay the said amount
of Rs. ........................ (in words) which includes the statutory interest as on date forthwith, by way of Account
Payee Demand Draft drawn in favour of Recovery Officer, ESI Corporation ........................ Separate orders with
regard to interest till the date of payment and any further cost, charges and expenses incurred in the recovery
proceedings for realizing the arrears liable to be recovered under the ESI Act, 1948 read with Rule 5 of the
Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961 shall be issued on the receipt of Demand Draft from the Bank.
An extract of Sub-Section (ix) & (x) of Section 45G (3) of the ESI Act is enclosed for ready reference and
for prompt compliance.
(GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL AT ........................ THIS ........................ DAY OF ........................)
Encl: As above
RECOVERY OFFICER
TO, AUTHORISED OFFICER
................................................
................................................
Copy to:-
M/s. ................................................
........................................................
........................................................
Note: The specimen order declaring Garnishee as deemed defaulter u/s 45G (3) (x) of the ESI Act, 1948
may be used for THIRD PARTY with appropriate modifications.
Encl: As Above
RECOVERY OFFICER
TO, AUTHORISED OFFICER
Copy to:-
.......................................................................
Section 3 of the Evidence Act, 1872 has interpreted the word evidence to mean and include:
i. All statements which the court permits or requires to be made before it by witnesses, in relation to
matters of fact under enquiry. Such statements are called oral evidence.
ii. All documents produced for the inspection of the court. Such documents are called documentary
evidence.
From the above interpretation, it may be seen that the word evidence includes all the legal means
excluding mere arguments which tend to prove or disprove any matter of fact, the truth of which is submitted
to the judicial investigation.
As already noted, the definition of evidence in this Act covers the evidence of witnesses and
documentary evidence and it does not cover everything that a Court has before it. There are certain other
media of proof eg., the statements of parties, the result of local investigation, facts of which the court takes
judicial notice, any real or personal property the inspection of which may be material in determining the
question at issue, such as weapons, tools or stolen property. Thus it could be seen that the definition of
evidence in the Evidence Act is incomplete as it does not include the whole material on which the decision of
the judge may rest.
Relevancy of facts
In all the judicial proceedings, there are issues for decision which may be issues of a fact or issues of law.
The latter are decided on the basis of express law and on the basis of arguments before the court. The issues
of fact are on the contrary decided mainly on the basis of evidence. In the course of judicial proceedings the
facts in issue are clearly set out by the courts in the preliminary stage itself. Evidence may be given by the
parties to the proceedings on facts in issue and also on relevant facts. Relevant facts are these which are
connected with the facts in issue in any of the ways referred to in the provisions of the Evidence Act relating to
the relevancy of facts. As already stated, section 6 to 55 lays down the facts which are considered as relevant.
The Evidence Act has created three categories of facts as under:
i. May presume
General
1. The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 is the law relating to transfer of property by act of parties. As distinct
modes of attachment and sale are prescribed in the Second Schedule of Income tax Act for movable and
immovable property, the distinction between the two kinds of the property under the General Clauses
Act, Transfer of Property Act and Registration Act should be borne in mind. Immovable Property is
defined in the General Clauses Act, X of 1987, section 3 (26). It states Immovable property shall include
land, benefits to arise out of land, and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything
attached to the earth. The expression attached to the earth is defined in section 3 of the Transfer of
Property Act as meaning
c. Attached to what is so imbedded for the permanent beneficial enjoyment of that to which it is
attached.
Again, in the Transfer of Property Act, section 3, says that immovable property does not include standing
timber, growing crops or grass. In the Registration Act, section 2(6), immovable property is defined
as including Land, buildings, hereditary allowances, rights to ways, lights, ferries, fisheries or any other
benefit to arise out of land, and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which
is attached to the earth, but not standing timber, growing crops nor grass.
2. MOVABLE PROPERTY : On regard to movable property, section 3(36) of the General Clauses Act, X
of 1897, says : movable property shall mean property of every description except immovable
property.
3. By virtue of the exclusion of standing timber, growing crops and grass from the definition of immovable
property in the aforesaid three Acts viz., the General Clauses Act, the Transfer of Property Act and the
Registration Act, it necessarily follows that standing timber growing crops and grass should have
to be regarded as movable property. Movable property has been defined in section 2(9) of
Registration Act as under
Movable property includes standing timber, growing crops and grass, fruit upon and juice in trees and
property of every other description except immovable property.
Section 6 enumerates the rights and interests that cannot be transferred. Section 41 states the rules
against perpetuity, section 10 explains the vested interest section 41 gives an exception to the rights of real
owner of benami holders, section 53 deals with fraudulent transfers, section 53A provides a shield to the
This Act was passed to consolidate the enactments relating to the registration of documents. The offices
of Registrar & sub0Registrar function under the superintendence of the Inspector General who has also powers
to make rules. Section 17 enumerates the documents that shall have to be registered. In particular all non-
testamentary instruments which purport or operate to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish, whether in
present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of 100 rupees and
upwards to or in any movable property, have to be registered. But sub-section (2) declares, among others,
that, any certificate of sale granted to the purchaser of any property sold by public auction by a civil or a
revenue officer needs no registration. Under section 89 (2) every court and under section 89 (4) every Revenue
Officer granting a certificate of sale to the purchaser of immovable property sold by public auction shall however
send a copy of the certificate to the Registering Officer within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole
or any part of the property comprised in the certificate is situated. Rule 21 of ITCP Rules is the corresponding
provisions. A document should be presented for registration within four months from the date of its execution
(section 23). The registration officer has, however, powers to extend time under certain circumstances.
Provisions regarding the depositing and registering of wills are contained in parts 8 and 9 of the Act. Section 47
says that a registered document shall operate from the time from which it would have commenced to operate
if no registration thereof had been required or made and not from the time of its registration. This would
normally be the date of execution of the document.
Property gets transferred from one person to another in one of the following two ways:
i. By act of parties; or
ii. By operation of law
Where the transfer is by act of parties, different transfers are governed by different laws as follow:
All kinds of transfers of immovable property and transfers of movable property by way of exchange, gift
and assignment of actionable claims are governed by the transfer of Property Act. Transfers of movable property
by way of pledge or hypothecation and bailment are governed by the Contract Act. Transfers of movable
property by way of sale are governed by the Sale of Goods Act.
In the case of transfers by operation of law, the matter will be governed by the concerned law. Sale of
property (whether movable or immovable) by the Tax Recovery Officer in public auction, is an instance of
transfer by operation of law and not of transfer by act of parties. So much so, the provisions of the Sale of
Goods Act are not directly applicable to such sales. How the property should be sold, when the title to the
property sold passes the extent of the title that passes etc. all these aspects are governed by the provisions
of the Income tax Act and the Rules made thereunder (the Second Schedule and he ITCP Rules).
But knowledge of the provisions of the Sale of Goods Act will be useful to the Tax Recovery Officer in
two ways
i. In determining the extent of interest the defaulter has in a given movable property in relation to third
parties; and
ii. In appreciating the general principles underlying the Act, particularly the provisions of section 64 which
deal with the sale by auction, in so far as they are not inconsistent or incompatible with the provisions
of Income tax Law, they will have a persuasive force and as such it is desirable to follow then while
selling the defaulters movable property.
The Act deals with the formation of contract of sale as well as agreement to sell, the effect of such
formation, performance of the contract, the remedies available in case of breach of contract, the rights of
unpaid vender, like lien as well as stoppage of goods in transit etc. Though it is more or less a replica of the
English Act, it has highlighted some important aspects like how to determine the passing of title to goods when
the intention of parties in not clearly expressed, the precise distinction between the sale and agreement to
sell, and between warranties and conditions implied in the contract of sale, the consequences of sale by a co-
owner, holder of voidable title, by the seller after sale etc.
A negotiable instrument is a close-in-action and thus constitutes movable property. The Tax Recovery
Officer will sometimes be concerned with the sale of a negotiable instrument of the defaulter. Therefore
knowledge of provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act will be useful.
If every time cash has to be passed on, a business cannot be conducted speedily and with least risk.
Hence instruments like promissory notes, bills of exchange (including hundies) and cheques (including drafts)
came to be used by the mercantile community to help speedy transaction of business and safe transport of
money. The Negotiable Instruments Act consists of 137 sections divided into 6 chapters and deals with the
distinguishing features of these various negotiable instruments, the parties to the instruments and their rights
and liabilities and discharge of liabilities, the different modes of negotiation, the manner of presentation and
payment, in case of dishonor the manner of giving notice, noting by the Notary Public (person appointed
under the Notories Act, 1952) and protesting, what constitutes reasonable time, crossing of cheques, special
rules of evidence, international law governing the foreign negotiable instruments and so on.
ii. The property in the instrument can be passed by mere delivery or endorsement and delivery without
formalities like writing, stamping etc.
iii. The bonafide transferee for value (holder in due course) will not be affected by the defects in the title of
his transferor and thus this is an exception to the general rule that no one can convey a better title than
what he has. It shall be presumed that the holder (the person having the possession of the instrument
and right to recovery the money in his own name) is a holder in due course.
iv. It is as good as cash and can be converted into cash by discounting it.
v. There are special rules of evidence and hence it becomes easy to prove the negotiable instrument.
vi. A Negotiable Instrument is seldom dishonored as that would result in ruination of the credit of all the
concerned parties.
Section 31 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, forbids drawing, accepting, making or issuing of bills
of exchange, hundies, promissory notes etc., which are payable to the bearer on demand. This is to secure
Governments monopoly of issuing paper currency.
In relation to hundies (these are bills of exchange in the vernacular language) the local usages will
govern, unless the parties expressly stipulate that they will be governed by the Negotiable Instruments Act.
The plea of benami and the law realting to benami transaction have no application to negotiable
instruments.
3. On expiry of 15 days, in case of failure by the defaulter to comply, prosecution may be filed within 30
days in the Court of the Class-I Magistrate.
(i.e., total 60 days is available with ESIC for filing prosecution under this provision from the date of
dishonoring of Cheque to filing of prosecution.
1. Section 226(3) cannot be invoked on unutilised O.D. limits in Bank accounts. {K.M.Adams scase33 ITR
26 (Mad)}
2. The writing off of the demand does not prevent the department from taking recovery action subsequently.
{H.R. Laxmans case 34 ITR 113 (Punj)}
3. Mere debt cannot be called as arrears. It must be debt that has become payable after the due
date is over. {T.M.K. Abdul Kasinis case - 46 ITR 149 (SC)}
4. A person becomes an Assessee in default only after a demand notice is served on him and thereupon,
he fails to pay the dues within the due date. {Segu Butchia Settys case 52 LTR 538, 541 (SC) }
5. In addition to the modes of recovery available under the Incometax Act, the arrears can also be
recovered by filing a suit in a Civil Court. Government is entitled to claim priority over the debts of
unsecured creditors. {Builders Supply Corporations case 56 ITR 91(SC) }
6. Where a notice u/s. 226(3) is issued to a debtor nothing prevents him from compounding the claim with
the defaulter - creditor. But, inspite of compounding, the liability to the department extends to the
mount (before compounding) mentioned in the certificate and the debtor is bound to honour the same.
{Harinagar Sugar Mills case 60 ITR 508 (SC) }
7. To make a garnishee order [ Sec. 226 (3) ], the relationship of Employer - Employee, Creditor Debtor,
etc., as on date will be necessary. {Budha Pictures case 65 ITR 620 (SC) }
8. Where the Recovery Certificate stands in the Firms name, straight away the department cannot proceed
against the individual assets of the partners. They should be given notice and on their default to pay,
further proceedings can be taken. {ITO Vs. Radhakrishna 66 ITR 590 (SC) Also S.N. Santhalingams
case 121 ITR 868 (Kar)}
9. Section 226(3) can be invoked once an amount becomes due even before it becomes payable and
before the assessee becomes a defaulter. {Damodar Bhats case - 71 ITR 806 (Sc)}
10. When the Tax Recovery Officer is acting on the basis of a certificate, the defaulter cannot question the
certificate in a Court of Law, as it is only in the nature of decree or execution proceedings. Where RC is
issued for the dues front the firm, recovery can be made from the partners as the order XXI Rule
50(2) of CPC would apply. {Sahu Rajeswarnathts case 72 LTR 617 (SC)}
11. Garnishee proceedings [ Sec. 226(3) ] means the process where under the III parties debts due to the
judgment debtors, are made payable to Judgement -Creditor [Sec. 45G (ESI) ]{Soorajmal Nagarmals
case 74 ITR 459, 463 (SC)}
13. Recovery Certificate once issued remains effective even during pendency of appeal. Even when
Installments are given, it will be so. The effect of appeal is that the demand in the RC gets varied.
{Union of India Vs. B.C. Nawen 84 ITR 526 (Cal) & 139 ITR 802 (All)}
14. After the issue of the Recovery Certificate, if the assessee dies, recovery can be continued as the rules
84 and 85 of the II Schedule apply. However, before attachment and sale, notice to the Legal
Representatives will be necessary as they should be defaulters before their properties are attached.
{Mahaboob Bee Vs. TRO - 93 ITR 127 (Mad)}
15. Recovery Certificate issued in the name of a dead person is not valid. The legal heirs are to he proceeded
with in the prescribed manner. {Isha Bevi Vs. TRO - 101 ITR 449 (SC)}
16. A single proclamation combining two defaulters is invalid and contrary to rule 53 of the II Schedule.
{Precision instruments case 104 ITR 723 (All) }
17. The title which the purchaser gets relates back to the date of sale and not the date of confirmation of
sale. If the sale is set aside in appeal, the confirmation will have no effect. {Smt. C.Kamala Vs. CIT - 114
ITR 159 (Kar) }
18. Where a notice under rule 2 is served on the defaulter, Rule 16 of the II Schedule deprives a Civil Court
of its jurisdiction to issue any process against the concerned property.{V.A. Ramaswamys case 114
ITR 408 (Mad)}
19. Where goods are hypothecated to bank without possession and Tax Recovery Officer subsequently
attaches them, the department gets priority over the bank dues. {(Shenthila Nathans Case 114 ITR
213 (Mad)}
20. Even when a sale is set aside, the attachment continues and Civil Court cannot issue process against the
attached property. {Ganesh Lal Bajajs case 115 ITR 791}
21. In respect of time barred debts, action u/s. 226(3) will not be possible, as legally no money is due in
such cases. { T.R.Raj Kumaris Case - 116 ITR 306 (Mad)}
22. Where a defaulter appears in response to the notice under rule 73(1), detention cannot be ordered till
the enquiry under rule 74 is over or conditions under rule 73(2) & 73(3) are fulfilled.{S.K. Agarwals case
125 ITR 389 (All)}
23. Issue of a certificate to the Tax Recovery Officer is mandatory before the Tax Recovery Officer commences
the recovery proceedings. {Beharilal Ramcharan Kotharis case 131 ITR 129(SC)}
24. The sale proclamation under rule 52(2) must be in the language of the district.
{S.S. Navalgis case 132 ITR 621 (Ker)}
26. The sale of attached property should be made within a reasonable time. {Tikarams case 142 ITR 319
(All)}
NOTE: A new rule 68B has been introduced into the II Schedule by Finance Act, 1992 to the effect that
no sale of immovable properties can be effected after 3 years from the end of the Financial Year in
which the demand becomes final and conclusive.
27. For restraining the Tax Recovery Officer from proceeding with the recovery from the attached property
the purchaser should serve a notice u/s. 80 of CPC and make both the Central Government and Tax
Recovery Officer parties In the concerned suit. {Prakash Textiles Vs. TRO 142 ITR 256 (Kar)}
28. The grant of stay, in proceedings under article 226 of the Constitution, should be an exception and not
a rule. The court cannot be unmindful of the need to protect the authority levying the tax. Interim
orders ought not to be granted metely because a prima facie case has been shown. Governments are
not run on mere bank guarantees. {Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Vs. Dunlop India Ltd., 154 ITR
172 (SC)}
29. If an assessee objects to the recovery proceedings taken u/s. 226(4) on the ground that there has been
no valid service of a notice of demand and that no debt is due, the court must decide the objection. If it
upholds the objection, it cannot permit recovery of the tax claimed. {Manmohanlal &Qthers Vs. ITO
168 ITR 616 (SC)}
30. The attachment under Rule 26(i)(iii) apply to existing rents and not those becoming payable in future.
{A. Gopala Naidus case 169 ITR 417,420 & 421 (Kar)}
31. If the amount of demand is reduced in appeal, the sale valid. The demand in the R.C. should be altered
and effected for the preappeal gross demand would not be recovery can be pursued thereafter.
{(Manoolal Kedernath Vs. ITO 172 ITR 612 (All)}
32. When a Garnishee order was made for the payment of a fictitious amount without giving an opportunity
to the person against whom the order is made to show cause against the passing of such an order for
that amount, the order was a nullity. Any steps taken pursuant to or in enforcement of such an order
would also be a nullity. { Surinder Nath Kapoor Vs. Union of India and Others -1 73 ITR - 469 (SC) }
33. The purchaser of a property in an auction sale does not get a better title than what the defaulter
possessed. {M.H. Pandya Vs. TRO 178 ITR 538 (Guj)}
34. Where L.I.C. registers assignment, no money becomes due or payable to policy holder and hence action
u/s.226(3) will not be possible. {LIC of India & Another Vs. Gangadhar Vishwanath Ranade - 180 ITR 1
(SC)}
35. The Tax Recovery Officer is a Revenue Officer u/s.89(4) of the Indian Registration Act. On sale of
immovable property, he shall grant a certificate under rule 65(1) of II Schedule and send a copy to Sub
36. If the sale is not made subject to mortgage or other secured charges, the sale proceeds should be
adjusted first against them and thereafter, the balance should be adjusted as per Rule 8. {R.T. Thomass
case 185 ITR 274, 279 (Kar)}
37. When a property is sold, it is mandatory that the purchaser should deposit 25% of the amount forthwith
and pay the balance within 15 days. The Tax Recovery Officer will have no discretion to relax these
conditions or grant time. If the conditions are not fulfilled, the sale becomes invalid and property should
be resold. In the matter of forfeiture of the deposit however, the Tax Recovery Officer will have discretion.
{Pishorilal Sehis case 188 ITR 528, 531 (All) }
38. Where an application for rectification of the demand is pending, no recovery can be effected till it is
finalised. {Sultan Leather Finishers Vs. ACIT 191 ITR 179(All)}
39. The period of limitation laid down in section 231 is confined to recovery proceedings under the Act. The
provisions of limitation cannot curtail the power of the Government to file a suit to recover the
outstanding law. Even after the period of limitation laid down in section 231 is over, it is open to the
Government to file suit to recover the outstanding amount of tax subject to the provisions of the
limitation. {British Airways Vs. CIT 193 ITR 439 (Cal) }
Note : Section 231 has been omitted by Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, with effect from
1.4.1989.
40. Objection to the attachment of the property could be investigated by the Tax Recovery Officer under
Rule 11 of Schedule II to the Incometax Act, 1961. In view of the existence of alternate remedy, writ
will not normally be issued by High Court.{Keshav Deo Poddar Vs. TRO 193 ITh 480 (All) }
41. Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 provides that a contract for sale of immovable property
does not, of itself, create any interest in or charge on such property. The expression, whose interest are
affected which occurs in both rules 60 and 61 has to be understood, in the light of meaning assigned to
it under section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act as meaning the same person. A person who has
entered in to an agreement for sale had only a pecuniary interest and not any interest iii the property as
such within the meaning of the expression person whose interests are affected occurring in rule 61 of
the IL Schedule to the Incometax Act. {D.V. Sathyanarayana & others Vs. TRO - 194 ITR 409 (Kar) }
42. Directors are not liable to be proceeded against for recovery of tax due from a company which was
deemed to be Public Company u/s 43A of the Companies Act or periods after company become Public
43. A joint reading of Rule76(1) and 73(1) of the Second Schedule clearly indicates that no final order of
detention in civil prison can be passed by the Tax Officer against, any defaulter unless the Tax Recovery
Officer for reason to be recorded in writing is satisfied that either, the defaulter, with the object or
effect of obstructing the execution of the certificate had, after, the drawing up of the certificate by the
Tax Recovery Officer dishonestly transferred, conceded or removed any part of his property or the Tax
Recovery Officer is satisfied that the defaulter has or has had, since the drawing up of the certificate by
the Tax Recovery Officer, the means to pay the arrears, or some substantial refused or neglected to pay
the same. {Mohamed Akstar Husin (alias) Khadar Bhatti Vs. State of Gujarat and others 198 ITR 229
(Guj)}
44. The Commissioner of Income tax had stated in his order refusing to waive interest under sec. 220(2)
that the assessee was earning very good income and it did not appear to be a case where the payment
of interest caused undue hardship to the assessee. The order of the Commissioner of Incometax was
valid and could not be quashed. {G.T .N. Textiles Ltd Vs Dy. Commissioner of Incometax & Another
199 ITR 347 (Ker)}
45. The provisions contained in Rules 52 and 54 of the Schedule are mandatory in nature and have got to be
complied with by Tax Recovery Officer.{Sardar Kripal Singh Vs. TRO & Others201 ITR 563(All)}
46. Rule 12(a) of the II Schedule to the Incometax Act provides that, if the amount due, with costs and all
charges and expenses resulting from the attachment of the property are paid to the Tax Recovery Officer,
the attachment shall be deemed to be withdrawn. The rule applies whether the property attached is
movable or immovable. In the case of immovable property, the rule provides further that the withdrawal,
if the defaulter so desires, to be proclaimed at his expense. The subsequent garnishee proceedings not
resulting warrant of attachment are not relevant. {B. Indira Rani Vs.CIT 201 ITR 917 (Ker) }
47. The assessee demanded the return of sale deed in respect of a particular piece of land on the ground
that it had been only deposited as security in respect of the amount due to the Income tax Department
and that there was no need for retention of the said security, there being no subsisting dues of the
assessee. The request was turned down on the ground that the deposit of title deeds was made as a
security towards the dues of the appellants father who continued to have arrears payable to revenue.
The High Court held that the Revenue had not been able to produce any specific material to prove that
the document of the title deed deposited by the appellant was in respect of dues of the appellants
father and hence title deeds had to be returned to the assessee. {N.S. Vijayaraghavan Vs. CIT 202 ITR
24 (Ker) Also see K. Devaki Amna Vs. CIT 202 ITR 27 (Ker) }
48. In a case where Instrument in writing was executed by Contractor giving blank Power of Attorney to
collect amounts due on contracts, an order u/s. 226(3) issued by ITO against person for whom contracts
were executed to deposit amounts due from them to contractor to credit of Central Government is not
valid. {Canara Bank Vs. Tecon Engineers - 207 ITR 691 (Ker)}
50. When an application is made for stay of recovery under section 220(6), order for payment of tax in
installments is not valid. {Gajanana Agencies Vs. ITO 210 ITR 865 (Ker) }
51. Recovery Proceedings can be continued against the lent representative of Defaulter though certificate
was issued against the defaulter. {Mariam Misria Vs. TRO 211 ITR 807 (Mad)
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Definitions.
(c) execution, in relation to a certificate, means recovery of arrears in pursuance of the certificate;
(e) officer means a person authorised to make an attachment or sale under this Schedule;
Issue of notice.
62
2. [When a certificate has been drawn up by the Tax Recovery Officer] for the recovery of arrears under
this Schedule, the Tax Recovery Officer shall cause to be served upon the defaulter a notice requiring
the defaulter to pay the amount specified in the certificate within fifteen days from the date of service
of the notice and intimating that in default steps would be taken to realise the amount under this
Schedule.
3. No step in execution of a certificate shall be taken until the period of fifteen days has elapsed since the
date of the service of the notice required by the preceding rule :
Provided that, if the Tax Recovery Officer is satisfied that the defaulter is likely to conceal, remove or
dispose of the whole or any part of such of his movable property as would be liable to attachment in
execution of a decree of a civil court and that the realisation of the amount of the certificate would in
consequence be delayed or obstructed, he may at any time direct, for reasons to be recorded in writing,
an attachment of the whole or any part of such property:
Provided further that if the defaulter whose property has been so attached furnishes security to the
satisfaction of the Tax Recovery Officer, such attachment shall be cancelled from the date on which such
security is accepted by the Tax Recovery Officer.
4. If the amount mentioned in the notice is not paid within the time specified therein or within such
further time as the Tax Recovery Officer may grant in his discretion, the Tax Recovery Officer shall proceed
to realise the amount by one or more of the following modes :
(d) by appointing a receiver for the management of the defaulters movable and immovable
properties.
(a) such interest upon the amount of tax or penalty or other sum to which the certificate relates as is
payable in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 220, and
(i) the service of notice upon the defaulter to pay the arrears, and of warrants and other processes,
and
Purchasers title.
6. (1) Where property is sold in execution of a certificate, there shall vest in the purchaser merely the
right, title and interest of the defaulter at the time of the sale, even though the property itself be
specified.
(2) Where immovable property is sold in execution of a certificate, and such sale has become absolute,
the purchasers right, title and interest shall be deemed to have vested in him from the time
when the property is sold, and not from the time when the sale becomes absolute.
Suit against purchaser not maintainable on ground of purchase being made on behalf of plaintiff.
7. (1) No suit shall be maintained against any person claiming title under a purchase certified by the
Tax Recovery Officer in the manner laid down in this Schedule, on the ground that the purchase
was made on behalf of the plaintiff or on behalf of some one through whom the plaintiff claims.
(2) Nothing in this section shall bar a suit to obtain a declaration that the name of any purchaser
certified as aforesaid was inserted in the certificate fraudulently or without the consent of the
real purchaser, or interfere with the right of a third person to proceed against that property,
though ostensibly sold to the certified purchaser, on the ground that it is liable to satisfy a claim
of such third person against the real owner.
8. (1) Whenever assets are realised by sale or otherwise in execution of a certificate, the proceeds shall
be disposed of in the following manner, namely :
(a) they shall first be adjusted towards the amount due under the certificate in execution of
which the assets were realised and the costs incurred in the course of such execution;
(b) if there remains a balance after the adjustment referred to in clause (a), the same shall be
utilised for satisfaction of any other amount recoverable from the assessee under this Act
which may be due on the date on which the assets were realised; and
(c) the balance, if any, remaining after the adjustments under clauses (a) and (b) shall be paid
to the defaulter.
(2) If the defaulter disputes any adjustment under clause (b) of sub-rule (1), the Tax Recovery Officer
shall determine the dispute.]
9. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, every question arising between the 64[Tax Recovery]
Officer and the defaulter or their representatives, relating to the execution, discharge or satisfaction of
a certificate 65[***], or relating to the confirmation or setting aside by an order under this Act of a sale
held in execution of such certificate, shall be determined, not by suit, but by order of the Tax Recovery
Officer before whom such question arises :
Provided that a suit may be brought in a civil court in respect of any such question upon the ground of
fraud.
10. (1) All such property as is by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), exempted from attachment
and sale in execution of a decree of a civil court shall be exempt from attachment and sale under
this Schedule.
(2) The Tax Recovery Officers decision as to what property is so entitled to exemption shall be
conclusive.
11. (1) Where any claim is preferred to, or any objection is made to the attachment or sale of, any property
in execution of a certificate, on the ground that such property is not liable to such attachment or
sale, the Tax Recovery Officer shall proceed to investigate the claim or objection :
Provided that no such investigation shall be made where the Tax Recovery Officer considers that
the claim or objection was designedly or unnecessarily delayed.
(a) (in the case of immovable property) at the date of the service of the notice issued under
this Schedule to pay the arrears, or
(b) (in the case of movable property) at the date of the attachment,
he had some interest in, or was possessed66 of, the property in question.
(4) Where, upon the said investigation, the Tax Recovery Officer is satisfied that, for the reason stated
in the claim or objection, such property was not, at the said date, in the possession of the defaulter
or of some person in trust for him or in the occupancy of a tenant or other person paying rent to
him, or that, being in the possession of the defaulter at the said date, it was so in his possession,
not on his own account or as his own property, but on account of or in trust for some other
person, or partly on his own account and partly on account of some other person, the Tax Recovery
Officer shall make an order releasing the property, wholly or to such extent as he thinks fit, from
attachment or sale.
(5) Where the Tax Recovery Officer is satisfied that the property was, at the said date, in the possession
of the defaulter as his own property and not on account of any other person, or was in the
possession of some other person in trust for him, or in the occupancy of a tenant or other person
paying rent to him, the Tax Recovery Officer shall disallow the claim.
(6) Where a claim or an objection is preferred, the party against whom an order is made may institute
a suit in a civil court to establish the right which he claims to the property in dispute; but, subject
to the result of such suit (if any), the order of the Tax Recovery Officer shall be conclusive.
12. Where
(a) the amount due, with costs and all charges and expenses resulting from the attachment of any
property or incurred in order to hold a sale, are paid to the Tax Recovery Officer, or
the attachment shall be deemed to be withdrawn and, in the case of immovable property, the withdrawal
shall, if the defaulter so desires, be proclaimed at his expense, and a copy of the proclamation shall be
affixed in the manner provided by this Schedule for a proclamation of sale of immovable property.
13. The attachment and sale of movable property and the attachment and sale of immovable property may
be made by such persons as the Tax Recovery Officer may from time to time direct.
14. Any deficiency of price which may happen on a resale by reason of the purchasers default, and all
expenses attending such resale, shall be certified to the Tax Recovery Officer by the officer holding the
sale, and shall, at the instance of either the 67[Tax Recovery] Officer or the defaulter, be recoverable
from the defaulting purchaser under the procedure provided by this Schedule:
Provided that no such application shall be entertained unless filed within fifteen days from the date of
resale.
15. (1) The Tax Recovery Officer may, in his discretion, adjourn any sale hereunder to a specified day and
hour; and the officer conducting any such sale may, in his discretion, adjourn the sale, recording
his reasons for such adjournment :
Provided that, where the sale is made in, or within the precincts of, the office of the Tax Recovery
Officer, no such adjournment shall be made without the leave of the Tax Recovery Officer.
(2) Where a sale of immovable property is adjourned under sub-rule (1) for a longer period than one
calendar month, a fresh proclamation of sale under this Schedule shall be made unless the defaulter
consents to waive it.
(3) Every sale shall be stopped if, before the lot is knocked down, the arrears and costs (including the
costs of the sale) are tendered to the officer conducting the sale, or proof is given to his satisfaction
that the amount of such arrears and costs has been paid to the Tax Recovery Officer who ordered
the sale.
16. (1) Where a notice has been served on a defaulter under rule 2, the defaulter or his representative
in interest shall not be competent to mortgage, charge, lease or otherwise deal with any property68
belonging to him except with the permission of the Tax Recovery Officer, nor shall any civil court
issue any process against such property in execution of a decree for the payment of money.
(2) Where an attachment has been made under this Schedule, any private transfer or delivery of the
property attached or of any interest therein and any payment to the defaulter of any debt, dividend
or other moneys contrary to such attachment, shall be void as against all claims enforceable
under the attachment.
17. No officer or other person having any duty to perform in connection with any sale under this Schedule
shall, either directly or indirectly, bid for, acquire or attempt to acquire any interest in the property sold.
18. No sale under this Schedule shall take place on a Sunday or other general holiday recognised by the
State Government or on any day which has been notified by the State Government to be a local holiday
for the area in which the sale is to take place.
19. Any officer authorised to attach or sell any property or to arrest the defaulter or charged with any duty
to be performed under this Schedule, may apply to the officer-in-charge of the nearest police station
for such assistance as may be necessary in the discharge of his duties, and the authority to whom such
application is made shall depute a sufficient number of police officers for furnishing such assistance.
69
[Entrustment of certain functions by Tax Recovery Officer.
19A. A Tax Recovery Officer may, with the previous approval of the 70[Joint] Commissioner, entrust any of his
functions as the Tax Recovery Officer to any other officer lower than him in rank (not being lower in
rank than an Inspector of Income-tax) and such officer shall, in relation to the functions so entrusted to
him, be deemed to be a Tax Recovery Officer.]
PART II
ATTACHMENT AND SALE OF MOVABLE PROPERTY
Attachment
Warrant.
20. Except as otherwise provided in this Schedule, when any movable property is to be attached, the officer
shall be furnished by the Tax Recovery Officer (or other officer empowered by him in that behalf) a
warrant in writing and signed with his name specifying the name of the defaulter and the amount to be
realised.
21. The officer shall cause a copy of the warrant to be served on the defaulter.
Attachment.
22. If, after service of the copy of the warrant, the amount is not paid forthwith, the officer shall proceed to
attach the movable property of the defaulter.
23. Where the property to be attached is movable property (other than agricultural produce) in the
possession of the defaulter, the attachment shall be made by actual seizure, and the officer shall keep
the property in his own custody or the custody of one of his subordinates and shall be responsible for
due custody thereof:
Provided that when the property seized is subject to speedy and natural decay or when the expense of
keeping it in custody is likely to exceed its value, the officer may sell it at once.
Agricultural produce.
24. Where the property to be attached is agricultural produce the attachment shall be made by affixing a
copy of the warrant of attachment
(b) where such produce has been cut or gathered,on the threshing floor or place for treading out
grain or the like, or fodder-stack, on or in which it is deposited,
and another copy on the outer door or on some other conspicuous part of the house in which the
defaulter ordinarily resides, or with the leave of the Tax Recovery Officer, on the outer door or on some
other conspicuous part of the house in which he carries on business or personally works for gain, or in
which he is known to have last resided or carried on business or personally worked for gain. The produce
shall, thereupon, be deemed to have passed into the possession of the Tax Recovery Officer.
25. (1) Where agricultural produce is attached, the Tax Recovery Officer shall make such arrangements
for the custody, watching, tending, cutting and gathering thereof as he may deem sufficient;
71
[and he shall have power to defray the cost of such arrangements].
(2) Subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Tax Recovery Officer in this behalf, either in
the order of attachment or in any subsequent order, the defaulter may tend, cut, gather and
store the produce and do any other act necessary for maturing or preserving it; and, if the defaulter
fails to do all or any of such acts, any person appointed by the Tax Recovery Officer in this behalf
may, subject to the like conditions, do all or any of such acts, and the costs incurred by such
person shall be recoverable from the defaulter as if they were included in the certificate.
(3) Agricultural produce attached as a growing crop shall not be deemed to have ceased to be under
attachment or to require reattachment merely because it has been severed from the soil.
(4) Where an order for the attachment of a growing crop has been made at a considerable time
before the crop is likely to be fit to be cut or gathered, the Tax Recovery Officer may suspend the
execution of the order for such time as he thinks fit, and may, in his discretion, make a further
order prohibiting the removal of the crop pending the execution of the order of attachment.
(5) A growing crop which from its nature does not admit of being stored shall not be attached under
this rule at any time less than twenty days before the time at which it is likely to be fit to be cut or
gathered.
(c) other movable property not in the possession of the defaulter except property deposited
in, or in the custody of, any court,
(i) in the case of the debtthe creditor from recovering the debt and the debtor from
making payment thereof until the further order of the Tax Recovery Officer;
(ii) in the case of the sharethe person in whose name the share may be standing
from transferring the same or receiving any dividend thereon;
(iii) in the case of the other movable property (except as aforesaid)the person in
possession of the same from giving it over to the defaulter.
(2) A copy of such order shall be affixed on some conspicuous part of the office of the Tax Recovery
Officer, and another copy shall be sent, in the case of the debt, to the debtor, in the case of the
share, to the proper officer of the corporation, and in the case of the other movable property
(except as aforesaid), to the person in possession of the same.
(3) A debtor prohibited under clause (i) of sub-rule (1) may pay the amount of his debt to the Tax
Recovery Officer, and such payment shall discharge him as effectually as payment to the party
entitled to receive the same.
Attachment of decree.
27. (1) The attachment of a decree of a civil court for the payment of money or for sale in enforcement
of a mortgage or charge shall be made by the issue to the civil court of a notice requesting the
civil court to stay the execution of the decree unless and until
(ii) the 72[Tax Recovery] Officer or the defaulter applies to the court receiving such notice to
execute the decree.
(2) Where a civil court receives an application under clause (ii) of sub-rule (1), it shall, on the
application of the 72[Tax Recovery] Officer or the defaulter and subject to the provisions of the
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), proceed to execute the attached decree and apply the
net proceeds in satisfaction of the certificate.
(3) The 72[Tax Recovery] Officer shall be deemed to be the representative of the holder of the attached
decree, and to be entitled to execute such attached decree in any manner lawful for the holder
thereof.
28. Where the property to be attached consists of the share or interest of the defaulter in movable property
belonging to him and another as co-owners, the attachment shall be made by a notice to the defaulter
prohibiting him from transferring the share or interest or charging it in any way.
29. Attachment of the salary or allowances of servants of the Government or a local authority may be made
in the manner provided by rule 48 of Order 21 of the First Schedule to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
30. Where the property is a negotiable instrument not deposited in a court nor in the custody of a public
officer, the attachment shall be made by actual seizure, and the instrument shall be brought before the
Tax Recovery Officer and held subject to his orders.
31. Where the property to be attached is in the custody of any court or public officer, the attachment shall
be made by a notice to such court or officer, requesting that such property, and any interest or dividend
becoming payable thereon, may be held subject to the further orders of the Tax Recovery Officer by
whom the notice is issued:
Provided that, where such property is in the custody of a court, any question of title or priority arising
between the 73[Tax Recovery] Officer and any other person, not being the defaulter, claiming to be
interested in such property by virtue of any assignment, attachment or otherwise, shall be determined
by such court.
32. (1) Where the property to be attached consists of an interest of the defaulter, being a partner, in the
partnership property, the Tax Recovery Officer may make an order charging the share of such
partner in the partnership property and profits with payment of the amount due under the
certificate, and may, by the same or subsequent order, appoint a receiver of the share of such
partner in the profits, whether already declared or accruing and of any other money which may
become due to him in respect of the partnership, and direct accounts and inquiries and make an
order for the sale of such interest or such other order as the circumstances of the case may
require.
(2) The other persons shall be at liberty at any time to redeem the interest charged or, in the case of
a sale being directed, to purchase the same.
Inventory.
33. In the case of attachment of movable property by actual seizure, the officer shall, after attachment of
the property, prepare an inventory of all the property attached, specifying in it the place where it is
lodged or kept, and shall forward the same to the Tax Recovery Officer and a copy of the inventory shall
be delivered by the officer to the defaulter.
34. The attachment by seizure shall not be excessive, that is to say, the property attached shall be as nearly
as possible proportionate to the amount specified in the warrant.
35. Attachment by seizure shall be made after sunrise and before sunset and not otherwise.
36. The officer may break open any inner or outer door or window of any building and enter any building in
order to seize any movable property if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that such building
contains movable property liable to seizure under the warrant and the officer has notified his authority
and intention of breaking open if admission is not given. He shall, however, give all reasonable opportunity
to women to withdraw.
Sale
Sale.
37. The Tax Recovery Officer may direct that any movable property attached under this Schedule or such
portion thereof as may seem necessary to satisfy the certificate shall be sold.
Issue of proclamation.
38. When any sale of movable property is ordered by the Tax Recovery Officer, the Tax Recovery Officer
shall issue a proclamation, in the language of the district, of the intended sale, specifying the time and
place of sale and whether the sale is subject to confirmation or not.
39. (1) Such proclamation shall be made by beat of drum or other customary mode,
(i) in the village in which the property was seized, or, if the property was seized in a
town or city, then, in the locality in which it was seized; and
(ii) at such other places as the Tax Recovery Officer may direct;
(b) in the case of property attached otherwise than by actual seizure, in such places, if any, as
the Tax Recovery Officer may direct.
(2) A copy of the proclamation shall also be affixed in a conspicuous part of the office of the Tax
Recovery Officer.
40. Except where the property is subject to speedy and natural decay or when the expense of keeping it in
custody is likely to exceed its value, no sale of movable property under this Schedule shall, without the
consent in writing of the defaulter, take place until after the expiry of at least fifteen days calculated
from the date on which a copy of the sale proclamation was affixed in the office of the Tax Recovery
Officer.
41. (1) Where the property to be sold is agricultural produce, the sale shall be held,
(a) if such produce is a growing cropon or near the land on which such crop has grown, or
(b) if such produce has been cut or gatheredat or near the threshing floor or place for treading
out grain or the like, or fodder-stack, on or in which it is deposited:
Provided that the Tax Recovery Officer may direct the sale to be held at the nearest place of
public resort, if he is of opinion that the produce is thereby likely to sell to greater advantage.
(a) a fair price, in the estimation of the person holding the sale, is not offered for it, and
(b) the owner of the produce, or a person authorised to act on his behalf, applies to have the
sale postponed till the next day or, if a market is held at the place of sale, the next market
day,
the sale shall be postponed accordingly, and shall be then completed, whatever price may be
offered for the produce.
42. (1) Where the property to be sold is a growing crop and the crop from its nature admits of being
stored but has not yet been stored, the day of the sale shall be so fixed as to admit of the crop
being made ready for storing before the arrival of such day, and the sale shall not be held until
the crop has been cut or gathered and is ready for storing.
(2) Where the crop from its nature does not admit of being stored or can be sold to a greater advantage
in an unripe stage (e.g., as green wheat), it may be sold before it is cut and gathered, and the
purchaser shall be entitled to enter on the land, and to do all that is necessary for the purpose of
tending or cutting or gathering the crop.
Sale to be by auction.
43. The property shall be sold by public auction in one or more lots as the officer may consider advisable,
and if the amount to be realised by sale is satisfied by the sale of a portion of the property, the sale shall
be immediately stopped with respect to the remainder of the lots.
44. (1) Where movable property is sold by public auction, the price of each lot shall be paid at the time
of sale or as soon after as the officer holding the sale directs and in default of payment, the
property shall forthwith be resold.
(2) On payment of the purchase-money, the officer holding the sale shall grant a certificate specifying
the property purchased, the price paid and the name of the purchaser, and the sale shall become
absolute.
Irregularity not to vitiate sale, but any person injured may sue.
45. No irregularity in publishing or conducting the sale of movable property shall vitiate the sale, but any
person sustaining substantial injury by reason of such irregularity at the hand of any other person may
institute a suit in a civil court against him for compensation, or (if such other person is the purchaser)
for the recovery of the specific property and for compensation in default of such recovery.
46. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Schedule, where the property to be sold is a negotiable
instrument or a share in a corporation, the Tax Recovery Officer may, instead of directing the sale to be
made by public auction, authorise the sale of such instrument or share through a broker.
47. Where the property attached is current coin or currency notes, the Tax Recovery Officer may, at any
time during the continuance of the attachment, 75[direct that such coins or notes shall be credited to the
Central Government and the amount so credited shall be dealt with in the manner specified in rule 8].
PART III
ATTACHMENT AND SALE OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
Attachment
Attachment.
48. Attachment of the immovable property of the defaulter shall be made by an order prohibiting the
defaulter from transferring or charging the property in any way and prohibiting all persons from taking
any benefit under such transfer or charge.
Proclamation of attachment.
50. The order of attachment shall be proclaimed at some place on or adjacent to the property attached by
beat of drum or other customary mode, and a copy of the order shall be affixed on a conspicuous part
of the property and on the notice board of the office of the Tax Recovery Officer.
51. Where any immovable property is attached under this Schedule, the attachment shall relate back to,
and take effect from, the date on which the notice to pay the arrears, issued under this Schedule, was
served upon the defaulter.
52. (1) The Tax Recovery Officer may direct that any immovable property which has been attached, or
such portion thereof as may seem necessary to satisfy the certificate, shall be sold.
(2) Where any immovable property is ordered to be sold, the Tax Recovery Officer shall cause a
proclamation of the intended sale to be made in the language of the district.
Contents of proclamation.
53. A proclamation of sale of immovable property shall be drawn up after notice to the defaulter, and shall
state the time and place of sale, and shall specify, as fairly and accurately as possible,
(b) the revenue, if any, assessed upon the property or any part thereof;
(c) the amount for the recovery of which the sale is ordered; 76[***]
77
[(cc) the reserve price, if any, below which the property may not be sold; and]
(d) any other thing which the Tax Recovery Officer considers it material for a purchaser to know, in
order to judge the nature and value of the property.
54. (1) Every proclamation for the sale of immovable property shall be made at some place on or near
such property by beat of drum or other customary mode, and a copy of the proclamation shall be
affixed on a conspicuous part of the property and also upon a conspicuous part of the office of
the Tax Recovery Officer.
(2) Where the Tax Recovery Officer so directs, such proclamation shall also be published in the Official
Gazette or in a local newspaper, or in both; and the cost of such publication shall be deemed to
be costs of the sale.
(3) Where the property is divided into lots for the purpose of being sold separately, it shall not be
necessary to make a separate proclamation for each lot, unless proper notice of the sale cannot,
in the opinion of the Tax Recovery Officer, otherwise be given.
Time of sale.
55. No sale of immovable property under this Schedule shall, without the consent in writing of the defaulter,
take place until after the expiration of at least thirty days calculated from the date on which a copy of
the proclamation of sale has been affixed on the property or in the office of the Tax Recovery Officer,
whichever is later.
56. The sale shall be by public auction to the highest bidder and shall be subject to confirmation by the Tax
Recovery Officer :
78
[Provided that no sale under this rule shall be made if the amount bid by the highest bidder is less
than the reserve price, if any, specified under clause (cc) of rule 53.]
57. (1) On every sale of immovable property, the person declared to be the purchaser shall pay,
immediately after such declaration, a deposit of twenty-five per cent on the amount of his purchase
money, to the officer conducting the sale; and, in default of such deposit, the property shall
forthwith be resold.
(2) The full amount of purchase money payable shall be paid by the purchaser to the Tax Recovery
Officer on or before the fifteenth day from the date of the sale of the property.
58. In default of payment within the period mentioned in the preceding rule, the deposit may, if the Tax
Recovery Officer thinks fit, after defraying the expenses of the sale, be forfeited to the Government,
and the property shall be resold, and the defaulting purchaser shall forfeit all claims to the property or
to any part of the sum for which it may subsequently be sold.
Authority to bid.
79
59. [(1)] Where the sale of a property, for which a reserve price has been specified under clause (cc) of
rule 53, has been postponed for want of a bid of an amount not less than such reserve price, it
shall be lawful for an 80[Assessing] Officer, if so authorised by the 81[Chief Commissioner or
Commissioner] in this behalf, to bid for the property on behalf of the Central Government at any
subsequent sale.]
82
[(2)] All persons bidding at the sale shall be required to declare, if they are bidding on their own behalf
or on behalf of their principals. In the latter case, they shall be required to deposit their authority,
and in default their bids shall be rejected.
83
[(3)] Where the 80[Assessing] Officer referred to in sub-rule (1) is declared to be the purchaser of the
property at any subsequent sale, nothing contained in rule 57 shall apply to the case and the
amount of the purchase price shall be adjusted towards the amount specified in the certificate.]
60. (1) Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a certificate, the defaulter, or any person
whose interests are affected by the sale, may, at any time within thirty days from the date of the
sale, apply to the Tax Recovery Officer to set aside the sale, on his depositing
(b) for payment to the purchaser, as penalty, a sum equal to five per cent of the purchase
money, but not less than one rupee.
(2) Where a person makes an application under rule 61 for setting aside the sale of his immovable
property, he shall not, unless he withdraws that application, be entitled to make or prosecute an
application under this rule.
Application to set aside sale of immovable property on ground of non-service of notice or irregularity.
61. Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a certificate, 87[such Income-tax Officer as
may be authorised by the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner in this behalf], the defaulter, or any
person whose interests are affected by the sale, may, at any time within thirty days from the date of the
sale, apply to the Tax Recovery Officer to set aside the sale of the immovable property on the ground
that notice was not served on the defaulter to pay the arrears as required by this Schedule or on the
ground of a material irregularity in publishing or conducting the sale:
Provided that
(a) no sale shall be set aside on any such ground unless the Tax Recovery Officer is satisfied that the
applicant has sustained substantial injury by reason of the non-service or irregularity; and
(b) an application made by a defaulter under this rule shall be disallowed unless the applicant deposits
the amount recoverable from him in the execution of the certificate.
62. At any time within thirty days of the sale, the purchaser may apply to the Tax Recovery Officer to set
aside the sale on the ground that the defaulter had no saleable interest in the property sold.
Confirmation of sale.
63. (1) Where no application is made for setting aside the sale under the foregoing rules or where such
an application is made and disallowed by the Tax Recovery Officer, the Tax Recovery Officer shall
(if the full amount of the purchase money has been paid) make an order confirming the sale, and,
thereupon, the sale shall become absolute.
(2) Where such application is made and allowed, and where, in the case of an application made to
set aside the sale on deposit of the amount and penalty and charges, the deposit is made within
thirty days from the date of the sale, the Tax Recovery Officer shall make an order setting aside
the sale :
Provided that no order shall be made unless notice of the application has been given to the
persons affected thereby.
64. Where a sale of immovable property is set aside, any money paid or deposited by the purchaser on
account of the purchase, together with the penalty, if any, deposited for payment to the purchaser, and
such interest as the Tax Recovery Officer may allow, shall be paid to the purchaser.
Sale certificate.
65. (1) Where a sale of immovable property has become absolute, the Tax Recovery Officer shall grant a
certificate specifying the property sold, and the name of the person who at the time of sale is
declared to be the purchaser.
(2) Such certificate shall state the date on which the sale became absolute.
66. (1) Where an order for the sale of immovable property has been made, if the defaulter can satisfy
the Tax Recovery Officer that there is reason to believe that the amount of the certificate may be
raised by the mortgage or lease or private sale of such property, or some part thereof, or of any
other immovable property of the defaulter, the Tax Recovery Officer may, on his application,
postpone the sale of the property comprised in the order for sale, on such terms, and for such
period as he thinks proper, to enable him to raise the amount.
(2) In such case, the Tax Recovery Officer shall grant a certificate to the defaulter, authorising him,
within a period to be mentioned therein, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Schedule,
to make the proposed mortgage, lease or sale:
Provided that all moneys payable under such mortgage, lease or sale shall be paid, not to the
defaulter, but to the Tax Recovery Officer:
Provided also that no mortgage, lease or sale under this rule shall become absolute until it has
been confirmed by the Tax Recovery Officer.
67. Every re-sale of immovable property, in default of payment of the purchase money within the period
allowed for such payment, shall be made after the issue of a fresh proclamation in the manner and for
the period hereinbefore provided for the sale.
68. Where the property sold is a share of undivided immovable property, and two or more persons, of
whom one is a co-sharer, respectively bid the same sum for such property or for any lot, the bid shall be
deemed to be the bid of the co-sharer.
88
[Acceptance of property in satisfaction of amount due from the defaulter.
68A. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in this Part, an 89[Assessing] Officer, duly authorised
by the 90[Chief Commissioner or Commissioner] in this behalf, may accept in satisfaction of the
(2) Where any property is accepted under sub-rule (1), the defaulter shall deliver possession of such
property to the 92[Assessing] Officer and on the date the possession of the property is delivered
to the 92[Assessing] Officer, the property shall vest in the Central Government and the Central
Government shall, where necessary, intimate the concerned Registering Officer appointed under
the Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908), accordingly.
(3) Where the price of the property agreed upon under sub-rule (1) exceeds the amount due from
the defaulter, such excess shall be paid by the 92[Assessing] Officer to the defaulter within a period
of three months from the date of delivery of possession of the property and where the 92[Assessing]
Officer fails to pay such excess within the period aforesaid, the Central Government shall, for the
period commencing on the expiry of such period and ending with the date of payment of the
amount remaining unpaid, pay simple interest at 93[one-half per cent for every month or part of
a month] to the defaulter on such amount.]
94
[Time limit for sale of attached immovable property.
68B. (1) No sale of immovable property shall be made under this Part after the expiry of three years95
from the end of the financial year in which the order giving rise to a demand of any tax, interest,
fine, penalty or any other sum, for the recovery of which the immovable property has been
attached, has become conclusive under the provisions of section 245-I or, as the case may be,
final in terms of the provisions of Chapter XX:
Provided that where the immovable property is required to be re-sold due to the amount of
highest bid being less than the reserve price or under the circumstances mentioned in rule 57 or
rule 58 or where the sale is set aside under rule 61, the aforesaid period of limitation for the sale
of the immovable property shall stand extended by one year.
(2) In computing the period of limitation under sub-rule (1), the period
(i) during which the levy of the aforesaid tax, interest, fine, penalty or any other sum is stayed
by an order or injunction of any court; or
(ii) during which the proceedings of attachment or sale of the immovable property are stayed
by an order or injunction of any court; or
(iii) commencing from the date of the presentation of any appeal against the order passed by
the Tax Recovery Officer under this Schedule and ending on the day the appeal is decided,
shall be excluded :
Provided that where immediately after the exclusion of the aforesaid period, the period of
limitation for the sale of the immovable property is less than 180 days, such remaining period
(3) Where any immovable property has been attached under this Part before the 1st day of June,
1992, and the order giving rise to a demand of any tax, interest, fine, penalty or any other sum,
for the recovery of which the immovable property has been attached, has also become conclusive
or final before the said date, that date shall be deemed to be the date on which the said order
has become conclusive or, as the case may be, final.
(4) Where the sale of immovable property is not made in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule
(1), the attachment order in relation to the said property shall be deemed to have been vacated
on the expiry of the time of limitation specified under this rule.]
PART IV
APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER
69. (1) Where the property of a defaulter consists of a business, the Tax Recovery Officer may attach the
business and appoint a person as receiver to manage the business.
(2) Attachment of a business under this rule shall be made by an order prohibiting the defaulter
from transferring or charging the business in any way and prohibiting all persons from taking any
benefit under such transfer or charge, and intimating that the business has been attached under
this rule. A copy of the order of attachment shall be served on the defaulter, and another copy
shall be affixed on a conspicuous part of the premises in which the business is carried on and on
the notice board of the office of the Tax Recovery Officer.
70. Where immovable property is attached, the Tax Recovery Officer may, instead of directing a sale of the
property, appoint a person as receiver to manage such property.
Powers of receiver.
71. (1) Where any business or other property is attached and taken under management under the
foregoing rules, the receiver shall, subject to the control of the Tax Recovery Officer, have such
powers as may be necessary for the proper management of the property and the realisation of
the profits, or rents and profits, thereof.
(2) The profits, or rents and profits, of such business or other property, shall, after defraying the
expenses of management, be adjusted towards discharge of the arrears, and the balance, if any,
shall be paid to the defaulter.
Withdrawal of management.
72. The attachment and management under the foregoing rules may be withdrawn at any time at the
discretion of the Tax Recovery Officer, or if the arrears are discharged by receipt of such profits and
rents or are otherwise paid.
73. (1) No order for the arrest and detention in civil prison of a defaulter shall be made unless the Tax
Recovery Officer has issued and served a notice upon the defaulter calling upon him to appear
before him on the date specified in the notice and to show cause why he should not be committed
to the civil prison, and unless the Tax Recovery Officer, for reasons recorded in writing, is satisfied
(a) that the defaulter, with the object or effect of obstructing the execution of the certificate,
has, after 96[the drawing up of the certificate by the Tax Recovery Officer], dishonestly
transferred, concealed, or removed any part of his property, or
(b) that the defaulter has, or has had since 96[the drawing up of the certificate by the Tax
Recovery Officer], the means to pay the arrears or some substantial part thereof and refuses
or neglects or has refused or neglected to pay the same.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), a warrant for the arrest of the defaulter may
be issued by the Tax Recovery Officer if the Tax Recovery Officer is satisfied, by affidavit or
otherwise, that with the object or effect of delaying the execution of the certificate, the defaulter
is likely to abscond or leave the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Tax Recovery Officer.
(3) Where appearance is not made in obedience to a notice issued and served under sub-rule (1),
the Tax Recovery Officer may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defaulter.
97
[(3A)A warrant of arrest issued by a Tax Recovery Officer under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3) may also be
executed by any other Tax Recovery Officer within whose jurisdiction the defaulter may for the
time being be found.]
(4) Every person arrested in pursuance of a warrant of arrest under 98[this rule] shall be brought
before the Tax Recovery Officer 99[issuing the warrant] as soon as practicable and in any event
within twenty-four hours of his arrest (exclusive of the time required for the journey):
Provided that, if the defaulter pays the amount entered in the warrant of arrest as due and the
costs of the arrest to the officer arresting him, such officer shall at once release him.
1
[Explanation.For the purposes of this rule, where the defaulter is a Hindu undivided family,
the karta thereof shall be deemed to be the defaulter.]
Hearing.
74. When a defaulter appears before the Tax Recovery Officer in obedience to a notice to show cause or is
brought before the Tax Recovery Officer under rule 73, 2[the Tax Recovery Officer shall give the defaulter]
an opportunity of showing cause why he should not be committed to the civil prison.
75. Pending the conclusion of the inquiry, the Tax Recovery Officer may, in his discretion, order the defaulter
to be detained in the custody of such officer as the Tax Recovery Officer may think fit or release him on
his furnishing security to the satisfaction of the Tax Recovery Officer for his appearance when required.
Order of detention.
76. (1) Upon the conclusion of the inquiry, the Tax Recovery Officer may make an order for the detention
of the defaulter in the civil prison and shall in that event cause him to be arrested if he is not
already under arrest:
Provided that in order to give the defaulter an opportunity of satisfying the arrears, the Tax
Recovery Officer may, before making the order of detention, leave the defaulter in the custody of
the officer arresting him or of any other officer for a specified period not exceeding 15 days, or
release him on his furnishing security to the satisfaction of the Tax Recovery Officer for his
appearance at the expiration of the specified period if the arrears are not so satisfied.
(2) When the Tax Recovery Officer does not make an order of detention under sub-rule (1) he shall,
if the defaulter is under arrest, direct his release.
77. (1) Every person detained in the civil prison in execution of a certificate may be so detained,
(a) where the certificate is for a demand of an amount exceeding two hundred and fifty
rupeesfor a period of six months, and
(i) on the amount mentioned in the warrant for his detention being paid to the officer-in-
charge of the civil prison, or
3
[(ii) on the request of the Tax Recovery Officer on any ground other than the grounds mentioned
in rules 78 and 79.]
4
[***]
(2) A defaulter released from detention under this rule shall not, merely by reason of his release, be
discharged from his liability for the arrears; but he shall not be liable to be rearrested under the
certificate in execution of which he was detained in the civil prison.
Release.
78. (1) The Tax Recovery Officer may order the release of a defaulter who has been arrested in execution
of a certificate upon being satisfied that he has disclosed the whole of his property and has
(2) If the Tax Recovery Officer has ground for believing the disclosure made by a defaulter under
sub-rule (1) to have been untrue, he may order the rearrest of the defaulter in execution of the
certificate, but the period of his detention in the civil prison shall not in the aggregate exceed
that authorised by rule 77.
79. (1) At any time after a warrant for the arrest of a defaulter has been issued, the Tax Recovery Officer
may cancel it on the ground of his serious illness.
(2) Where a defaulter has been arrested, the Tax Recovery Officer may release him if, in the opinion
of the Tax Recovery Officer, he is not in a fit state of health to be detained in the civil prison.
(3) Where a defaulter has been committed to the civil prison, he may be released therefrom by the
Tax Recovery Officer on the ground of the existence of any infectious or contagious disease, or on
the ground of his suffering from any serious illness.
(4) A defaulter released under this rule may be rearrested, but the period of his detention in the civil
prison shall not in the aggregate exceed that authorised by rule 77.
(a) no dwelling house shall be entered after sunset and before sunrise;
(b) no outer door of a dwelling house shall be broken open unless such dwelling house or a portion
thereof is in the occupancy of the defaulter and he or other occupant of the house refuses or in
any way prevents access thereto; but, when the person executing any such warrant has duly
gained access to any dwelling house, he may break open the door of any room or apartment if he
has reason to believe that the defaulter is likely to be found there;
(c) no room, which is in the actual occupancy of a woman who, according to the customs of the
country, does not appear in public, shall be entered into unless the officer authorised to make
the arrest has given notice to her that she is at liberty to withdraw and has given her reasonable
time and facility for withdrawing.
81. The Tax Recovery Officer shall not order the arrest and detention in the civil prison of
(a) a woman, or
82. Every 5[Chief Commissioner or Commissioner], Tax Recovery Officer or other officer acting under this
Schedule shall, in the discharge of his functions under this Schedule, be deemed to be acting judicially
within the meaning of the Judicial Officers Protection Act, 1850 (18 of 1850).
83. Every 5[Chief Commissioner or Commissioner], Tax Recovery Officer or other officer acting under the
provisions of this Schedule shall have the powers of a civil court while trying a suit for the purpose of
receiving evidence, administering oaths, enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the
production of documents.
Continuance of certificate.
84. No certificate shall cease to be in force by reason of the death of the defaulter.
Appeals.
7
86. [(1) An appeal from any original order passed by the Tax Recovery Officer under this Schedule, not
being an order which is conclusive, shall lie to the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner.]
(2) Every appeal under this rule must be presented within thirty days from the date of the order
appealed against.
(3) Pending the decision of any appeal, execution of the certificate may be stayed if the appellate
authority so directs, but not otherwise.
8
[(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), where a Chief Commissioner or Commissioner
is authorised to exercise powers as such in respect of any area, then, all appeals against the
orders passed before the date of such authorisation by any Tax Recovery Officer authorised to
exercise powers as such in respect of that area, or an area which is included in that area, shall lie
to such Chief Commissioner or Commissioner.]
Review.
87. Any order passed under this Schedule may, after notice to all persons interested, be reviewed by the
9
[Chief Commissioner or Commissioner], Tax Recovery Officer or other officer who made the order, or
by his successor in office, on account of any mistake apparent from the record.
88. Where any person has under this Schedule become surety for the amount due by the defaulter, he may
be proceeded against under this Schedule as if he were the defaulter.
Penalties.
89. [Omitted by the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, w.e.f. 1-4-1989.]
Subsistence allowance.
90. (1) When a defaulter is arrested or detained in the civil prison, the sum payable for the subsistence
of the defaulter from the time of arrest until he is released shall be borne by the 10[Tax Recovery
Officer].
(2) Such sum shall be calculated on the scale fixed by the State Government for the subsistence of
judgment-debtors arrested in execution of a decree of a civil court.
(3) Sums payable under this rule shall be deemed to be costs in the proceeding:
Provided that the defaulter shall not be detained in the civil prison or arrested on account of any
sum so payable.
Forms.
91. The Board may prescribe the form to be used for any order, notice, warrant, or certificate to be issued
under this Schedule.
92. (1) The Board may make rules, consistent with the provisions of this Act, regulating the procedure to
be followed by 11[Chief Commissioners, Commissioners], Tax Recovery Officers and other officers
acting under this Schedule.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by sub-rule (1), such
rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:
(a) the area within which 11[Chief Commissioners, Commissioners] or Tax Recovery Officers
may exercise jurisdiction;
(b) the manner in which any property sold under this Schedule may be delivered;
(d) the procedure for dealing with resistance or obstruction offered by any person to a
purchaser of any immovable property sold under this Schedule, in obtaining possession of
the property;
(f) the scale of charges to be recovered in respect of any other proceeding taken under this
Schedule;
(h) the maintenance and custody, while under attachment, of livestock or other movable
property, the fees to be charged for such maintenance and custody, the sale of such livestock
or property, and the disposal of proceeds of such sale;
93. Nothing in this Schedule shall affect any provision of this Act whereunder the tax is a first charge upon
any asset.
12
[Continuance of certain pending proceedings and power to remove difficulties.
94. All proceedings for the recovery of tax pending immediately before the coming into force of the
amendments to this Schedule by the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987 shall be continued under
this Schedule as amended by that Act from the stage they had reached, and, for this purpose, every
certificate issued by the 13[Assessing] Officer under section 222 before such amendment shall be deemed
to be a certificate drawn up by the Tax Recovery Officer under that section after such amendment, and,
if any difficulty arises in continuing the said proceedings, the Board may issue (whether by way of
modification, not affecting the substance, of any rule in this Schedule or otherwise) general or special
orders which appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty.]
Where any distraint and sale of movable property are to be effected by any [Assessing Officer] [or Tax
Recovery Officer] authorized for the purpose, such distraint and sale shall be made, as far as may be, in the
same manner as attachment and sale of any movable property attachable by actual seizure, and the provisions
of the Second Schedule relating to attachment and sale shall, so far as may be, apply in respect of such distraint
and sale.
Total
(2) When a copy of the certificate is sent by a Tax Recovery Officer to another Tax Recovery Officer
under sub-section (2) of section 223, he shall,
(i) keep the certificate in his office; and
10
[(ii) inform the Assessing Officer of his having sent a copy of the certificate.]
To
M/s . .............................................................
Sir/Madam,
Sub: Show Cause Notice under NI Act for tendering Cheque without sufficient balance.
You are informed that the cheque No. ........................ dated ........................ for Rs. ........................ drawn
on ........................, issued in favour of ESI Corporation, submitted for realisation has been returned from the
Bank with the remarks ........................ .
In this connection your attention is invited to Sec. 138 of Negotiable Act. 1985. In terms of the same , it is
hereby called upon you to make good the payment of Rs. ........................, whether by cash or by Demand
Draft, in favour of ESI Fund, within 15 days of receipt of this notice or intimate the same to the undersigned
alongwith the evidence of payment in form of Bank Challan.
Please note that failure to pay the amount as demanded above will render you liable for prosecution
under Sec. 138 of N.I Act.
Yours faithfully
RECOVERY OFFICER
Copy to Ins. Br. For information./ Copy to Legal Br. for information.
To
The Manager,
................................................ (Bank)
Ref:- This Office Prohibitory Order dated ........................ issued in respect of M/s. ..........................................
Pursuant to the above cited Prohibitory Order issued in respect of M/s. ................................................,
you are advised to issue a Pay Order/D.D./Bankers Cheque for an amount as per the Prohibitory Order re-
ferred above. In the event the entire amount is not available in the account, the available balance may be paid
immediately.
The Pay Order may be issued in favour of ESIC Fund A/c. No.1 by Speed Post/Courier Service. Any
fraction of a Rupee may be rounded off to the next higher Rupee.
The Prohibitory Order may not be treated as revoked till the full amount is paid.
RECOVERY OFFICER
To
The Manager,
................................................ (Bank)
Sub:- Prohibitory Order attaching the Bank A/c. in respect of M/s. ..................................................................
(Name & Address of the Defaulter) Revocation thereof.
WHEREAS, by an Order dated ........................ issued in ESICP 4 for Rs. ........................ (Rupees
........................................................................ only), operation of the account held by the defaulter/defaulter
Company, M/s. ................................................ and/or Sri/Smt/Ms. ................................................,Principal
Employer was prohibited and you were restrained from making payment/allowing operation of that account
held with your bank.
The Defaulter/Defaulter Company has since liquidated the certificate case in full and final settlement.
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ this ........................ day of ........................ 20..........
RECOVERY OFFICER
2) Sri/Smt./Ms. ................................................
To
The Manager,
................................................ (Bank)
Sub:- Prohibitory Order attaching the Bank A/c. in respect of M/s. ....................................................................
(Name & Address of the Defaulter) Revocation thereof.
WHEREAS, the Recovery Proceedings have been stayed by an order of the Honble E.I. Court/High Court/
Authorised Officer vide Order dated ........................
Given under my hand and seal at ........................ this ........................ day of ........................ 20 ............
RECOVERY OFFICER
2) Sri/Smt./Ms. ................................................
RECOVERY OFFICER
To
Note : This MPR (Part-I & Part-II) is to be sent to the Hqrs. Office by the 10th of the next month under a
covering letter from the Recovery Officer
By E-Mail/SPEED POST
From :
Recovery Officer
.......................................
Regional Office
N.B. : Specimen of
Part-I P. 304
Part-II P. 305
1 2 3 4 5
Certificates pending at the beginning of Recovery Total (1 + 2) Certificates against Certificates
the month (Excluding Court Stay cases)* certificates which Demand pending for issue
received from the Notices (CP-2) of Demand Notices
Recovery For issue of
Authorised Officers issued
Demand Notices
during the month
No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount
(Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.)
6 7 8 9
Certificates against which Certificates Total number of Certificates Effective Certificates
recovery made withdrawn/kept in against which Recovery stayed pending for recovery
abeyance by during the month at the end of
No. of Cases Total amount
Authorised Officers/ November, 2010
recovered (Rs.)
R.D. out of the
Certificates
Full recovery Part recovery (Col. No. 3) By the courts By the O.L.
No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Amount No. Total Amount
(Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) pending
PRI : Rs. __________ /- Deducted Rs. __________/- being Interest Reduced against Cft. Cases mentioned in Col. No. 6
COST : Rs. __________/- & added Rs. __________/- on various grounds, which was subtracted and shown earlier.
TOTAL : Rs. __________/-
Recovery Officer
RETURN ON PROGRESS MADE IN THE REVENUE RECOVERY DURING THE MONTH OF .............., 20...........
(Amount in Rs.)
9. Break up of recovery:
Contribution Rs.
Interest Rs.
Damages Rs
PRI Rs.
Cost Rs
Total Rs.
Respected,
I am to inform you that a sum of Rs. ................................................ lakhs has been recovered during the
month of ........................, 20............, the detail is as under:-
Thus, total recovery made since April, 2011, is Rs. ................................................ lakhs which comes to
........................% of the proportionate target of Rs. ................................................ lakhs and ........................%
of the annual target of Rs. ................................................ lakhs.
With
Yours sincerely,
(........................)
Shri ................................................,
Insurance Commissioner,
E. S. I. Corporation,
Hqrs. Office, Panchdeep Bhawan,
C.I.G. Marg, New Delhi 110 002.
Note:- This monthly statement is to be sent to the I.C. by the 5th of the next month under a D.O. letter
from the R.D./Dir./J.D.-I.C.
Dear Sirs,
The role of banks in regard to payment of Provident Fund, Employees State Insurance and other statutory
dues by borrowers of banks has been engaging the attention of Reserve Bank of India since nearly a decade.
Initially, banks were advised, vide our circular DBOD. NO. CAS.BC>136/C.446-77 dated 1 November 1977, to
safeguard their interests vis--vis statutory dues by verifying the position in this regard either by obtaining a
suitable declaration from the borrower or, if considered necessary, by calling for proof of payment or obtaining
No dues Certificate. These instructions were particularly modified vide our subsequent circulars DBOD No.
CAS, BC, 15/C-446-78 dated 6 February, 1978 and IECD.No.CAD.85/C.446 (PF)-84 dated 10 March, 1984. On
the basis of certain decisions take in 1979, some of the Regional Provident Fund Commissioners started sending
lists of defaulters in payment of Provident Fund dues to Reserve Bank of India (which in turn advised the
names of defaulters falling within the purview of the Credit Authorisation Scheme to the banks concerned for
appropriate action) or directly to banks.
2. In terms of our guidelines, banks were expected to ascertain the position regarding payment of statutory
dues from their borrowers through the medium of loan application and, where necessary, to verify the
declaration of the borrower in this regard. Thereafter, while sanctioning credit limits, banks were expected to
keep the position of such dues in view and also ensure that they are cleared as early as possible. We, however,
find that credit limits are being sanctioned /enhanced even when dues are substantial and/or long outstanding,
without any stipulation as to the clearance of such dues. In the case of borrowers who do not approach for
enhanced facilities the position is expected to be looked into at the time of annual review of the credit facilities,
but, according to our information, such reviews are not being made in a very large number of cases. As mentioned
in our earlier circulars, it is in the interest of the banks themselves to initiate appropriate measures. This apart,
the fact that a large number of parties continue to carry on operating with the assistance of operating with the
assistance of bank credit without meeting their statutory obligations and that the banks have failed to check
this inspite of our specific guidelines is causing concern to us. The Government of India is also perturbed by
the mounting arrears in payment of statutory dues.
3. In view of the foregoing, we advise banks to modify the application forms for grant/renewal/enhancement
of credit facilities, if not already done in terms of our earlier guidelines, so, as to ensure that the position
regarding the statutory dues is disclosed therein. Where warranted, the banks should satisfy themselves about
the genuineness of the partys declaration in this regard. It is our intention that sanction/renewal/enhancement
of credit facilities is utilized as a leverage by banks for enforcing necessary discipline on the part of their
borrowers. To facilitate this, banks should ensure that all credit limits are invariably reviewed at least once
4. As regards corporate borrowers, the amount of statutory dues should normally be reflected in their
annual accounts which would be duly certified by the Auditors. The non-corporate borrowers enjoying aggregate
working capital limits of Rs. 10 lakhs and above from the banking system are also required to get their annual
accounts audited and certified by Chartered Accountants (vide our circular IECD.No. CAD (PMS) 111/C.446
(PMS)-85 dated 12 April, 1985) and, hence, the banks should have no difficulty in ascertaining the position of
their statutory dues. Nonetheless, we advise that in addition to duly audited annual accounts, banks should
hereafter obtain a specific certificate from the Chartered Accountants as regards the position of statutory
dues, if the audited accounts do not clearly indicate the position.
5. It need hardly be stressed that after ascertaining the quantum of statutory dues the banks should ensure
that they are cleared by the borrowers within a reasonable period and that too through the internal generation
of funds. As banks are aware, non-payment of statutory dues is one of the symptoms of incipient sickness of
and industrial unit and it is in the interests of both the lender and the borrower to give high priority to the
clearance of these dues. As such, apart from insisting on the borrowers to indicate a definite programme for
clearance of arrears, banks may consider placing suitable restrictions on the outflow of funds by way of dividends,
repayment of loans from promoters or their friends/relatives or inter-corporate borrowings, etc. till the overdue
statutory liabilities are cleared. It may be added that in the case of sick units, that in the case of sick units, the
rehabilitation packages prepared for them should invariably provide for the payment of statutory liabilities
over a reasonable period in the agreed manner.
6. Apart from the above, the banks should also introduce suitable measures for monitoring by the Head/
Controlling Offices, the position of over dues; they should be done at least in respect of borrowers enjoining
aggregate working capital limits of Rs. 50 lakhs and over whose statutory dues are large. Further, where a
banks nominee has been appointed as a director of an assisted company, he may also be advised to monitor
the payment of statutory dues of that unit and to indicate the position of defaulters, if any, in his periodical
reports to the banks management.
7. Please acknowledge receipt. Instructions in this matter may please b issued to your Controlling Offices/
Branches and a copy thereof furnished to us at an early date.
Yours faithfully
s/d
(D.N.Samarth)
Joint Chief Office
NOTE: A refundable bidding fee of Rs. ........................ per bidder will be payable by DD/IPO in favour of ESI
Fund. A/c. No.1 payable at ........................ Payment in cash will not be accepted.
Place: (........................)
Dated: Recovery Officer