PRESS COMMUNIQUE

9% Relief Bonds, 1999 issued in terms of Government of India, Ministry of Finance Notification No. F.4(1)-W&M/99 dated 3-5-1999 , will mature for repayment with effect from May 03, 2004 . The holders may note that "no interest would be payable on the bonds after maturity " in terms of Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Notification No.F.4(5)-W&M /2002 dated 28th February 2003 .

2. To facilitate repayment of the above bonds on the due dates, Agency Banks/ Public Debt Office will issue necessary advices to the individual investor together with the prescribed receipt to their last known address. Holders may tender / surrender the bonds/Certificate of Holding to the office of Issue (Reserve Bank of India/Agency Banks) together with receipt in the prescribed form well in advance say 20 days before the due date of maturity for redemption of the maturity value on the due date.

Place : New Delhi

Date : March 4,2004

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
New Delhi.