Bank Cheques in Hindi - Acceptable?
And the date in Saka Samvat
CAN a bank cheque be written in Hindi and the date of the cheque noted in Saka Samvat?
The Reserve Bank of India had clarified in Master Circular on Customer Service in Banks, dated 02.07.2015 that:
Government of India has accepted Saka Samvat as National Calendar with effect from 22 March 1957 and all Government statutory orders, notifications, Acts of Parliament, etc. bear both the dates i.e., Saka Samvat as well as Gregorian Calendar. An instrument written in Hindi having date as per Saka Samvat calendar is a valid instrument. Cheques bearing date in Hindi as per the National Calendar (Saka Samvat) should, therefore, be accepted by banks for payment, if otherwise in order. Banks can ascertain the Gregorian calendar date corresponding to the National Saka calendar in order to avoid payment of stale cheques.