'No Funds' in Govt Account, Poor Woman Seeking Compensation Ends up Paying!

Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Jan 13: In a strange case, an old aged woman was compelled to pay penalty, after the cheque issued to her by the tahsildar towards natural calamities compensation was returned unpaid for want of funds.

The house of Chennamma (70) from Badaga Yedapadavu village near here had suffered damages because of strong wind and rain two years ago. Her family, comprising a daughter and three grandchildren, is poor. The village accountant, after surveying the damage to her house, had sent his report thereof to the tahsildar of Mangalore taluk.

Based on this report, the tahsildar issued a cheque dated November 30, 2011 for Rs 1,500 in Chennamma’s name and delivered it to her through the office of the village accountant on December 27. She delivered the cheque to Badaga Yedapadavu post office for being credited to her savings bank account there. The cheque was returned unpaid by State Bank of India, Mangalore branch, for insufficient funds.

State Bank of India charged her Rs 100 for the returned cheque, while the post office debited Rs 55 as its charges. Chennamma, who did not have money to meet these unexpected levies, had to borrow from neighbours.  She is now apprehensive, that delivery of the sane cheque again for collection may result in more such levies, and hence thinks it better to retain the cheque with her for the time being at least.