New Delhi: “Army welfare fund battle casualties” is the slogan going viral on social media, indicating that each Indian, by contributing Re 1 per day to the fund, can assist the welfare of the families of martyred soldiers.
Misleading statements on social media following the recent Uri attack that left 18 soldiers dead have left netizens confused about the account’s credibility. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s office on Monday told this newspaper that the account was genuine.
“There is no limit for donations. The messages urged people to pay at least Rs 1, which led to confusion and suspicion among netizens. It is a genuine account and is managed by Brigadier Anil Hooda of the accounts wing of the Indian Army. The Indian Army and Syndicate Bank websites have also given clarifications on the matter,” an official from the defence ministry said.
Sainik welfare officer for Telangana state and AP N. Srinesh Kumar said the Syndicate Bank account was with South Block branch of the defence headquarters. “No cheat dares to create fake accounts at a bank in the defence premises. Many controversial messages are doing the rounds of social media. I urge people not to spread false information without confirming it,” he said.
The controversy arose because of misunderstanding of circulars issued by the defence minister over creating the account with Syndicate bank against its regular banker, SBI.
Defence minister’s OSD Upendra Joshi had said that the account number which was being circulated in social media was genuine.
