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When the Maha CM is 'cheated'

RTI reply reveals 151 cheques given to Chief Minister's Relief Fund were dishonoured

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Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
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You may have seen those photographs of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis receiving cheques for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF). A Right to Information (RTI) reply has revealed that as many as 151 persons either stopped payment after giving the cheques or their cheques bounced when they were presented to the bank.

Right to Information activist Jitendra Ghadge has availed this information through RTI application. Ghadge said that at least for some people this seemed an opportunity to get their photographs clicked with the CM and free publicity, as the CM shared these photos on social media platforms.

In one such case, a cheque of Rs 51 lakh, donated by Kantiben Rasiklal Shah Charitable Trust towards drought relief, was dishonoured in the bank as the trust had issued stop payment instructions. The CM's relief fund cell wrote to the trust, but hadn't received any reply. "It is clear that Trust office bearers wanted free publicity and in the process used the CM for the same," said Ghadge.

Chief Minister's office later clarified that after a reminder to the trust, another cheque of Rs 51 lakhs was sent by them. The CMO has also clarified that as the donations are voluntary, there is no legal action that can be pursued in cases of cheque bouncing.

Individuals, schools, charitable organisations and even government departments were guilty in cases where cheques bounced. "Sometimes, cheques bounce due to technical errors such as wrong or no date, closed account, overwriting or even no signature. 

While some of the errors could be genuine, there are also those who do it intentionally," Ghadge said.

THE INSTANCES

  • In one case, a cheque of Rs 51 lakh, donated by Kantiben Rasiklal Shah Charitable Trust towards drought relief, was dishonoured in the bank as the trust had issued stop payment instructions.
     
  • Individuals, schools, charitable organisations and even government departments were guilty in cases where cheques bounced.
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