Rs 3.43 lakh cr of Rs 2,000 notes came back, public can return notes in RBI offices post Oct 8: Das
Mumbai (PTI): Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday said Rs 3.43 lakh crore of Rs 2,000 denomination notes have come back to the system so far, and reminded the public that they can return the withdrawn notes at 19 RBI offices from October 8.
Addressing the customary post-policy press meet here, Das said 87 per cent of the notes which have been returned have been deposited into bank accounts, while the rest have been exchanged over the counter.
At present, over Rs 12,000 crore of notes are still in circulation, Das said, reiterating that the notes can be returned even after the end of the extended period.
It can be noted that on May 19, the RBI had surprised all by announcing its intent to withdraw the Rs 2,000 note introduced in 2016 for quick remonetisation, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to suck out over 88 per cent of currency in circulation by banning the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
The RBI, which had initially given time till September 30, for getting the notes deposited or exchanged, extended the same by a week till October 7, on the last date.
Maintaining that the notes continue to be legal tender, the RBI had also announced a new system for getting them deposited or exchanged.
"… thereafter (from October 8) it can be, you know, deposited in or exchanged in the Reserve Bank in the issue offices of the Reserve Bank, which is there in almost every state capital we have presence. So there are 19 of them," Das told reporters on Friday.
He added that the original objective of withdrawing the notes, which was also driven by the need to take care of old notes, has been "largely met".
Das also said that the postal department's services can be availed in case someone cannot travel to the RBI offices.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
