Accept cheques for fees, Maha CM tells educational institutes

Maharashtra government today asked the education department to issue instructions to the universities and other educational institutes to accept examination and tuition fees through cheques and not insist on demand drafts or pay-orders.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision, which comes as a relief to the students in the wake of demonetisation, on Twitter this evening.
He issued the directive after holding a meeting with officials at his residence 'Varsha' here.
Similar instructions would be given through the Maharashtra state board of technical education to the affiliated institutes, the CM tweeted after the meeting.
The decision will benefit millions of students who would be paying mid-term fees in coming days.

The banks which are overburdened with people rushing to withdraw the money or swap the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes could not have handled additional work of issuing demand drafts at this juncture, an official said.

(Reopens BES 33)
Permission for payment of utility bills (electricity, water), property tax and other government dues with the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had been extended to November 24, the CM said.
Fadnavis also directed the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to allow free transport of vegetables to the market places -- upto 50kg per farmer -- till November 24.

The CM had called a meeting of all secretaries and RBI officials to take a review of the situation in the state due to the demonetisation, said an official in the Chief Minister's office.
Fadnavis also asked the banks to arrange mobile vans in cities and interior areas of the state for exchange of demonetised currency.
Exemption of toll on roads would be extended to November 18 midnight all over the state including Mumbai.
Service charges at border check posts are also exempted (for penalties and pending dues, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would be accepted).