CLAIM
A newspaper clipping is viral with the news that Rs 350 will be deducted from your bank account if you do not cast your vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Quoting a spokesperson from the Election Commission, the report says that the election body has decided to do so after ascertaining that Rs 350 is the cost borne by the country towards every voter for the purpose of the elections. "If they do not vote, then that goes waste. Hence, we will be deducting Rs 350 from the bank accounts of those who do not vote," the report quoted the spokesperson as saying.
The report also further claims that if one does not have enough balance, or does not have a bank account altogether, then the amount will be deduced from their next mobile recharge, adding that henceforth, one can recharge only for an amount above Rs 350.
TRUE OR FALSE?
The claim is false. It is, in fact, part of a satire piece which was published by the Hindi daily Navbharat Times on the occasion of Holi. The article mentions the words: "बुरा न मानो होली है" at the end, indicating that it is satirical.
The online version of the article too carries a disclaimer right at the beginning, which states: "इस खबर में कोई सच्चाई नहीं है। यह मजाक है और किसी को आहत करना इसका मकसद नहीं है।" (Translation: This news carries no truth. It is a joke and does not intend to cause hurt to anyone.)
A version of the piece has also been carried by Marathi daily Lokmat, again with the same disclaimer: "बुरा न मानो होली है.”
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