Centre splashes Leh relief ads, but banks not told

My heart goes out to the people of Leh and Ladakh who are facing a crisis of gruesome magnitude after a cloudburst struck the region at the beginning of this month. Just like every other citizen, I was keenly following the coverage of the calamity. Several NGOs came forward and offered help in relief work. The prime minister announced a relief package of Rs125 crore.

On Independence Day, all major dailies in the city carried an appeal by the prime minister’s office asking citizens to donate generously to the prime minister’s national relief fund, which will enable the government to rehabilitate the affected families. Since this was the first major tragedy since I started earning, I thought I should also contribute to this noble cause.

The ads specifically mentioned that one can donate directly at all the nationalised banks, as well as selected private sector banks. The contribution could be made by cheque or draft and the banks were advised not to charge commission on preparation of drafts.
I was reluctant to send money through post or courier, so I thought it prudent to go to the bank personally.

I first visited State Bank of India and enquired at the counter about any arrangement made by the bank to contribute to the PM’s relief fund. The person at the counter was not aware of one, so he called up his manager, and after confirming with him told me that the bank has not received any circular from the central government in this regard.

The situation at Bank of India was no different. I then visited HDFC Bank. The officer there also said that his bank has not received any circular, but being a private sector bank, he offered to make the demand draft at no cost. However, he could not give me any receipt document with which I could claim tax exemption under section 80G, which covers all such donations.

Disappointed, I decided to draw a cheque and send it through post. On my way back from the post office, I began wondering why the government spent so much funds to advertise its donation campaign on such a large scale, but failed to even notify the banks about it. There might be other people who are willing to contribute, but are struck in this quagmire like me.

All this, while the needy are deprived of the much-needed aid.