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Rule 18 - Payment Claims | KartavyaDesk

RPR

Original Rule Text

18. Claim for payment.– A Government officer entrusted with the payment of money shall obtain for every claim, full and clear particulars of the claim and all necessary information for its proper classification and identification in the account, including repayment of sums previously lodged with the Government.

What This Means

Rule 18 of the Receipt and Payment Rules is all about ensuring transparency and accountability when government officers are making payments. Essentially, it states that any government employee responsible for disbursing funds must gather comprehensive details about each claim before processing the payment. This includes understanding exactly what the payment is for, ensuring it's correctly categorized for accounting purposes, and verifying if any previous government deposits need to be factored in as repayments. Think of it as doing your due diligence to prevent errors and potential misuse of public funds.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Key Points

  • Government officers making payments must obtain full and clear particulars of the claim.
  • Necessary information for proper classification and identification in the account is mandatory.
  • Repayment of sums previously lodged with the Government must be considered.
  • The rule aims to ensure transparency and accountability in government payments.

Practical Example

Mr. Sharma, a clerk in the Ministry of Rural Development, receives a bill for ₹50,000 from a vendor, 'Sunrise Enterprises,' for supplying stationery. Before processing the payment, Mr. Sharma must ensure he has a detailed invoice specifying the types and quantities of stationery supplied. He also needs to verify that Sunrise Enterprises doesn't owe any money to the government from previous contracts. If Sunrise Enterprises had previously deposited ₹10,000 as security deposit for another project, and that project is now complete and the deposit needs to be adjusted, Mr. Sharma must factor that into the payment, potentially reducing the current payment to ₹40,000.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes 'full and clear particulars' of a claim?
It includes a detailed description of the goods or services provided, the quantity, the rate, the total amount claimed, and any supporting documentation like invoices or contracts.
Why is proper classification and identification in the account important?
It ensures that the expenditure is correctly recorded in the government's accounts, allowing for accurate financial reporting and auditing.
What happens if I don't follow Rule 18?
Failure to comply with Rule 18 can lead to errors in accounting, potential misuse of funds, and disciplinary action against the responsible officer.
Does this rule apply to all types of government payments?
Yes, Rule 18 applies to all types of payments made by government officers, regardless of the nature of the expense.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

According to Rule 18 of the Receipt and Payment Rules, what is the primary responsibility of a government officer entrusted with making payments?

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