Section 6 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982: Form of Chit Agreement

Section 6 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 prescribes the form and essential contents of a chit agreement. It requires the agreement to record the subscribers, instalments, duration, method of selecting the prized subscriber, discount, foreman's commission or expenses, draw details, security, defaults, nominees and other prescribed particulars.

Current statutory position: The text below incorporates the terminology introduced by the Chit Funds (Amendment) Act, 2019 with effect from 1 January 2020, including "share of discount" and "gross chit amount". Section 6(3) limits the discount to thirty per cent of the gross chit amount.

Meaning and purpose of Section 6

A "chit agreement" is the document containing the articles of agreement between the foreman and the subscribers relating to the chit. Section 6 sets out what that agreement must contain. The provision is intended to place the material financial and operational terms of the chit in a written, verifiable document before the chit is conducted.

For this purpose, the Act uses the expression "gross chit amount" for the total subscriptions payable by all subscribers for an instalment before deduction of discount. "Share of discount" means a subscriber's share in the discount available for rateable distribution among subscribers at each instalment.

Section 6 - Form of chit agreement

Key legal requirements under Section 6

The agreement must be in duplicate, signed by the subscribers or their duly authorised persons and by the foreman, and attested by at least two witnesses. It must clearly state the financial terms of the chit, the method and schedule of the draw, the rights and liabilities arising from default, the security offered by the foreman, inspection arrangements and subscriber nominations.

Ordinarily, a chit cannot run for more than five years. The State Government may permit a period up to ten years after considering the statutory factors stated in Section 6(2). The maximum discount under Section 6(3) is thirty per cent of the gross chit amount. Where an auction produces more than one offer at the maximum discount, Section 6(4) requires selection of the prized subscriber by lot.

Important amendments affecting Section 6

Chit Funds (Amendment) Act, 2019: With effect from 1 January 2020, the expression "dividend" was replaced by "share of discount", and "chit amount" was replaced by "gross chit amount" throughout the principal Act.

Chit Funds (Amendment) Act, 2001: Section 6(3) was amended so that the maximum discount is thirty per cent.

Related provisions

Section 6 should be read with the provisions governing previous sanction and registration of chits, filing of the chit agreement, commencement of the chit, supply of copies of the agreement to subscribers, security by the foreman and inspection of chit records.

Official source: Chit Funds Act, 1982 - India Code.

Legal note: This page is an informational reproduction and explanation of the statutory provision. State rules, notifications and permissions may also apply to the conduct and registration of a chit.