Fake Rs 50, Rs 100 notes' detection record high in 2017-18: RBI
Mumbai, Aug 29 : The detection of counterfeit notes in the Rs 50 and Rs 100 denomination witnessed a record high in 2017-18 compared with two preceding fiscals, the RBI announced on Wednesday.
According to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) annual report for 2017-18, the number of fake Rs 50 notes detected shot up 154.3 per cent to 23,447 pieces, as against 9,222 notes detected in 2016-17 and 6,453 in 2015-16.
The RBI said that the detection of counterfeit Rs 100 notes increased 35 per cent to 239,182 pieces during the said period, compared with 177,195 notes in 2016-17 and 221,447 in 2015-16.
However, the detection of counterfeit notes was 31.4 per cent lower in 2017-18 compared with the previous year.
"Counterfeit notes in denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 detected in SBNs (specified banknotes) decreased by 59.7 and 59.6 per cent respectively, as the same comprised only the residual part of SBN deposits processed during 2017-18," the report said.
This "residual" currency refers to the high-value notes scrapped by demonetisation in November 2016.
"During 2017-18, as many as 522,783 pieces of counterfeit notes were detected in the banking system, of which 63.9 per cent were detected by banks other than the Reserve Bank," the RBI said.
Moreover, out of the total fake notes detected at the RBI, their share during 2017-18 was higher at 36.1 per cent, compared with 4.3 per cent during the previous year.
This was because of processing of a large volume of SBNs withdrawn from circulation by demonetisation, the report said.
Speaking of the Indian economy, the annual report said that there are upside risks to inflation which requires vigilance.
Pointing out that while headline inflation is likely to face upside risks over the remaining period of the current fiscal, the RBI projected the country's real Gross Domestic Product for the same period to grow to 7.4 per cent from 6.7 per cent in the previous year.
India's central bank also said that credit growth is likely to be supported by the progress in resolving the most pressing problem of non-performing assets, or bad loans, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
