More money to be available in all denominations
ITANAGAR: Union Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs, M M Kutty, on Wednesday, assured Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu that the shortage of money would improve in the next 10-15 days with the availability of more cash in all denominations.
“Due to liquidity crunch, there is serious shortage of money especially of small denomination notes. However, in 10-15 days the situation will improve as more money will be made available in all denominations,” the additional secretary told Khandu when he called on the CM to discuss the impact of demonetisation in the state.
Kutty urged the state government to spread awareness on demonetisation, especially in remote areas of the state, an official communiqué said.
“Words must reach every individual to deposit their old notes by December 30 or they may exchange old notes at designated offices of the RBI by March 31 next,” he said.
As people have now started to visit banks in large number, Kutty advised the state government to use the opportunity to open more banks and ATMs in the state, especially in sub-divisional level to bring more people under the banking coverage.
To spread awareness on demonetisation, the chief minister said that all deputy commissioners would be instructed to relay a 15-minute radio talk in every local dialect for 3-4 days. Khandu also called for an outreach programme to be organised by the respective deputy commissioners. Informing on the current situation in the state in the aftermath of demonetisation, Khandu said that despite the rush in banks and ATMs, there has been no law and order problems reported.
Informing on frauds likely to take place on account of tribal people being exempted from taxes, the chief minister expressed concern that people from outside the state could use their bank accounts to deposit money in huge amount.
He urged the Income Tax department to trace all such accounts that deviates from its normal account history and pattern.
To cover more number of people under banking services, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, who was also present in the meeting, suggested that ASHA workers in remote villages could be deputed to work as banking correspondents by opening customer service point (CSP).
“Fair price shops, shopkeepers and gaon-burahs (village heads) can be encouraged to work as banking correspondence,” Commissioner (Finance) Ashish Kundra suggested.
Further to ensure no financial hurdles in development works, the chief secretary said an interim arrangement be made to allow cash flow for payment to labourers engaged in construction activities who are mostly daily wage workers, the communiqué added. (PTI)