BALLARI: The joy of the winners of the sports events at Hampi Utsav was short-lived as they could not claim the prize money given in cheques by the state government. Reason: The cheques have bounced, leaving the organisers who claimed the event to be a huge success red-faced.
After winning various sports events that were held from November 3 to 5, the winners wanted to encash the cheques. But much to their disappointment and surprise, the Syndicate Bank dishonoured the cheques due to insufficient funds in the account.
District Minister Santosh Lad and the district administration had organised the festival, and the event attracted lakhs of tourists from across the country and abroad. The sports events were organised as part of the utsav. However, a mistake by the Sports and Youth Services Department in Ballari has left both the minister and the district administration embarrassed.
Badminton, swimming and other games were held as part of the utsav. The badminton tournament was organised in Hosapete on November 3. Matches were held in singles and doubles categories for children under the age of 17 in both men and women sections separately. While the first prize was `5,000, the runner-up was to get `3,000. The winners and runner-ups were given cheques.
After a few days, the winners approached the banks to encash the cheques, but eight cheques were dishonoured by the bank due to insufficient funds. Some sportspersons, who visited the bank after 10-15 days to withdraw the money, were disappointed again for the same reason.
The sportspersons have slammed the department for its negligence. They told Express that the department officials did not even respond properly when the matter was brought to their notice.
The account is in the name of assistant director of the department. Raju Bavihalli is the assistant director now.
District Minister Santosh Lad told Express that he would ask the official concerned to look into the problem.
“We have organised the utsav successfully, but this error committed by the department official has disappointed me. I will see that the mistake is rectified at the earliest,” the minister said.
If a cheque bounces due to insufficient funds, it is a criminal offence under Section 138 of The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. It may attract imprisonment for a term which may be extended to two years, or with fine which may extend to twice the amount of the cheque, or with both.