The Government in consultation with the Reserve Bank has decided to issue third tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds. Applications for the bond will be accepted from 8th to 14th of this month. The Bonds will be issued on 29th March. The Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited and designated post offices. The borrowing through issuance of the bond will form part of market borrowing programme of the Government of India. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced in Union Budget 2015-16 about developing a financial asset, Sovereign Gold Bond, as an alternative to purchasing metal gold. Two tranches of issuance have been undertaken during 2015-16 so far.