Centre issues alert over high-quality fake Rs 500 notes; Highlights key identifier
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a high-priority alert to financial regulatory bodies, enforcement agencies, and banks dealing in cash, following intelligence reports of “high-quality” counterfeit Rs 500 notes entering circulation.
The alert, as cited by The New Indian Express, highlights a key identifier between the fake and genuine notes— a subtle spelling error in the fake currency. Instead of “RESERVE BANK OF INDIA,” the counterfeit notes bear the misspelled phrase “RSERVE BANK OF INDIA”.
Despite the near-perfect resemblance in print quality and design to genuine notes, this minor typographical flaw is being described by officials as “very subtle” and potentially easy to overlook. Institutions that handle large volumes of currency — such as banks, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) — have been put on high alert.
Institutions handling currency have been asked to remain on high alert, as intelligence reports suggest that counterfeit notes may have already entered circulation, TNIE quoted officials as saying. They added that an image of the suspected counterfeit currency has also been circulated to aid identification.
The government has urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious currency to authorities immediately.
When asked about the possible volume of counterfeit notes that may have entered the Indian market, a senior investigative official noted that no agency can accurately assess the figure, as data is compiled from diverse sources, including notes submitted by citizens to banks. However, he added, the actual number may far exceed reported statistics.
In a recent response in Parliament, the government outlined the steps taken to combat the spread of fake currency. These include stringent legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as well as the formation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the FICN Coordination Group (FCORD), and the Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) Cell.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"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.
