By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, NOV 14, 2016: STUNG by public criticism Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the supply and availability of currency notes and took certain decisions to further activate the dispensing of cash through the networks of Banking Correspondents (BCs), Post Offices, ATMs, Banks and E-payment systems; The existing exemptions for acceptance of old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes for certain types of transactions are being extended beyond 14th November, 2016 midnight up to 24th November, 2016 mid night; There is enough cash in the system to meet the requirement and therefore, Members of the public are advised not to have any sense of panic. 

Banking Correspondents (BCs) Network :

Banks will increase the cash holding limit of BCs to at least Rs.50,000/- each. Banks will also allow higher limits in appropriate cases.

Banks will replenish the cash with BCs multiple times in a day as per requirement of the BCs.

BCs have wide presence in the rural areas. Totally there are 1.2 lakh BCs in the country. The above decisions will facilitate wider reach in the rural areas for exchange and withdrawal of cash from Bank Accounts.

Postal Network :

There are about 1.3 lakh Branch Post Offices in the country. It has been decided to enhance the supply of cash to Branch Post Offices to facilitate cash withdrawals from Postal Accounts.

It may be noted that with 1.2 lakh BCs and 1.3 lakh branch Post Offices getting further activated, a total number of 2.5 lakh points in rural areas will be available to disburse cash and facilitate cash withdrawals from Bank Accounts.

ATM Network :

To expedite the process of recalibration of ATMs, a Task Force is being set up under Deputy Governor, RBI consisting of representatives of Banks and Finance Ministry. This Task Force will draw up action plan and ensure implementation of this action plan for quick recalibration of the ATMs to enable them to dispense new Bank notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.2000/-.

In the meantime, Micro ATMs will be deployed to dispense cash against Debit/Credit cards up to the cash limits applicable for ATMs. The handheld Micro ATMs have the facility of mobility and deployment at the required places.

Network and Reach of the Banks :

The withdrawal limit of Rs.20,000/- per week has been enhanced to Rs.24,000/-. The withdrawal limit of Rs.10,000/- per day has been removed.

The limit of Rs.4000/- for over the counter exchange against old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes has been increased to Rs.4500/-. This will enable the Banks to give lower denomination notes for Rs.500/- while dispensing the remaining Rs.4000/- through Rs.2000/- notes.

The ATMs are progressively getting recalibrated. As and when they are recalibrated, the cash limit of such ATMs will stand enhanced to Rs.2500/- per withdrawal. This will enable dispensing of lower denomination currency notes for about Rs.500/- per withdrawal. Other ATMs which are yet to be recalibrated, will continue to dispense Rs.2000/- till they are recalibrated.

Business entities having Current Accounts which are operational for last three months or more will be allowed to draw Rs.50,000/-per week. This can be done in a single transaction or multiple transactions. This will enable the small business entities to pay wages to their workers and make sundry payments.

Adequate cash will be made available with District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) to facilitate withdrawal from existing accounts. The cash withdrawal limits for Banks will apply in case of DCCBs also.
The above measures would substantially enhance the reach of the banking system to exchange notes and facilitate cash withdrawal from bank accounts.
E-Payments :

All Central Government Departments and Public Sector Enterprises are being instructed to use the method of e-payments to the maximum extent possible.

RBI has advised National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to waive its transaction charges on transactions settled through National Financial Switch(NFS) till 31st December, 2016.

Banks are also being advised to waive similar charges currently levied by them.

Arrangements for public convenience :

Banks have been advised to arrange separate queues in their branches for senior citizens and divyang persons; customers for transactions against accounts held with the Bank; and exchange of notes. There will, therefore be, three or more separate queues in every branch.

Pensioners are required to submit Annual Life Certificate during the month of November. This time limit has been extended up to 15th January, 2017.

The existing exemptions for acceptance of old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes for certain types of transactions are being extended beyond 14th November, 2016 midnight up to 24th November, 2016 mid night.

There is enough cash in the system to meet the requirement. Members of the public are, therefore, advised not to have any sense of panic.