Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 21 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore wrote a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to bring her attention towards the “severe shortage” of lower denomination currency notes and said that the situation is causing “inconvenience” and “hardship” in rural areas and urban poor communities.
In a social media post on X, Manickram Tagore wrote, “Wrote a letter to Hon’ble Finance Minister @nsitharaman regarding the severe shortage of Rs. 10, 20, and 50 denomination notes, which is causing hardship in rural and urban poor communities. Urging for immediate intervention to resume printing and distribution. #CurrencyShortage #RuralIndia #FinancialInclusion”
https://x.com/manickamtagore/status/1837367111192302065
The letter dated September 17, reads, “I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue affecting millions of citizens, particularly in rural areas and urban poor communities. The severe shortage of Rs. 10, 20, and 50 denomination currency notes has caused immense inconvenience and hardship.”
Congress MP said in the letter that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stopped printing these notes to promote UPI and cashless transactions.
Saying that the need to promote digital payments is understandable, Tagore said that this move disproportionately affects people with no access to digital payment infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, which in turn is affecting their daily lives.
“Reports suggest that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stopped printing these notes to promote UPI and cashless transactions. While the push for digital payments is understandable, this move disproportionately affects those without access to digital payment infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. This decision infringes upon the fundamental right to access currency, essential for daily transactions. The shortage has resulted in difficulties for small businesses, street vendors, and daily wage earners who rely heavily on cash transactions,” it added.
Tagore further requested Union Minister Sitharaman to direct RBI to resume printing and distribution of lower denomination currency notes to meet the public demands.
The letter reads, “I respectfully request that you intervene to – 1. Direct RBI to resume printing and distributing lower denomination currency notes. 2. Ensure adequate supply of these notes to meet public demand. 3. Implement measures to address the digital divide and improve access to digital payment infrastructure in rural areas.”
“I urge you to address this critical issue and restore the availability of lower denomination currency notes to alleviate the suffering of marginalized communities. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” it added. (ANI)
