Cheque under PM's package returned for want of funds

Nagpur, July 6 (UNI) A cheque, under the Prime Minister's relief package for farmers in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, issued to the widow of a debt-ridden farmer was returned for want of sufficient funds, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) said in a release today.

The Yavatmal District Collector issued a cheque of Rs 10,000 drawn on State Bank of India (SBI) to Vandana Shende, widow of Anil Shende who ended his life in village Bhadumari in Kelapur tehsil of the district on August 23, 2006.

Vandana's claim for compensation was initially rejected by the administration. However, it was later accepted after intervention by local leaders and the cheque was given to the lady on February 5, VJAS alleged.

Ms Shende had sent the cheque for collection to the Yavatmal District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. Last month, she was informed that the issuing bank had returned the cheque for want of funds, VJAS added.

VJAS has also released fascimiles of what it says is the cheque issued by the District Collector and the cheque return memo issued by the collecting branch.

When contacted, the bank confirmed that the cheque had been returned.

VJAS is a voluntary organisation working among farmers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

UNI