Dear VM,
What are your salary components i.e. Basic, D A, Gross etc.
If you are getting Basic, DA or consolidated salary more than Rs.21,000/- per month from 1st April 2015, you are not eligible for Payment of Bonus as per the act.
You have mentioned that you were getting Bonus every year in the month of March. If that is so, your company is violating law.
In India it is Mandatory for every Indian Company and Indian Multi National Company to have their Financial Year as 1st April to 31st March and hence your company is bound to pay Bonus within 8 months from the close of F.Y. i.e. on or before 30th November as communicated by Mr. Srinath Sai Ram.
Since your Company is making payment in the month of March it may not be a Bonus but an ex-gratia payment as a gesture of goodwill made by your company, for which you cannot demand as your right.
If you are getting Basic salary less than Rs.21,000/- p.m. you are entitled to minimum Bonus amount of Rs.7,000/- or an amount equivalent to the Minimum wages whichever is higher.(Subject to you worked for whole year)
If you are meeting above criteria than as suggested by Shri Divekar, make written communication for release of the same.
Regards,
Suresh