Order of recognition.
297. (1) An order according recognition to a provident fund shall take effect from the first day of the month immediately following the month in which the application for recognition is received by the income-tax authority concerned, unless, at the request of the employer, the first day of any later month in the same financial year is specified.
(2) In accordance with sub-rule (1), if the approving authority is satisfied that there was sufficient reason for the delay in submitting the application, he may accord recognition to the fund from a date not earlier than the 1st April of the financial year in which the application is made.