The correct answer is 50%

   According to the Payment of Wages Act

• The total amount of deductions from wages shall not exceed
  • 75%, if the deduction includes the payment to the cooperative societies.
  • 50%, in any other case.

 Important features of the Payment of Wages act:

• This act applies to all the employed people of India whose wage does not exceed 24000 rupees per month.
• The act includes services like transport, docks, mines, plantations, etc.
• A wage period shall not exceed one month.
• Wage shall be paid before the 7^th day of the month if the person is employed in an establishment with less than one thousand workers. And 10^th day of the month if the person is employed in an establishment with more than one thousand workers.
• The total amount of deductions from wages shall not exceed

1. 75%, if the deduction includes the payment to the cooperative societies.
2. 50%, in any other case.

• The total amount of fine imposed on any employed person shall not exceed an amount equal to 3% of wages.
• No fine shall be imposed on a person who is under the age of fifteen years.
• An appropriate government shall appoint an authority to hear and decide the claims related to deduction and delays in wages. Here appropriate authority means

1. Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation or
2. Regional Labour Commissioner or
3. Assistant Labour Commissioner
4. The presiding officer of any Labour Court or Industrial Tribunal formed under Industrial Dispute Act, 1947.
5. Judge of a Civil Court or a Judicial Magistrate.

• They may direct the employer to refund the deducted amount, pay the delayed wage, or compensate the employee.
• In the case of any malicious application, the authority is vested with the power to take appropriate action.
• The authority can take action against any person who willfully neglects to pay the wages by the date fixed by the authority.