The deadline to deposit and exchange Rs 2000 currency notes at bank branches ended on October 7. As people can still get their Rs 2000 notes deposited or exchanged at Reserve Bank of India (RBI) offices, a long queue was witnessed in front of the RBI Regional office in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
What is more surprising is the fact a lot of people were standing in the queue to get Rs 2000 notes exchanged in lieu of some money. On camera, several people informed that they were getting Rs 300 for exchanging Rs 2000 notes having a face value of Rs 20,000.
Sources said that ‘some people’ are paying Rs 300 to those who are standing in queues to get Rs 2000 notes up to Rs 20,000 exchanged for them. Many claimed that they do not know about the identity of such people who are paying Rs 300 to get the money exchanged at the RBI.
“We do not know the person but we are only getting Rs 300 for exchanging ten notes of Rs 2000 worth Rs 20,000 by standing in the queue,” said a depositor.
Regional Director, RBI Bhubaneswar said, “Actually the notification was issued and no limit has been set. However, we have made provision for nearly 250 persons, providing them water and other facilities, who are coming up to get their Rs 2000 notes exchanged or deposited in their bank accounts.”
The RBI Regional Director further informed that every day they are receiving Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 2 crore. Out of which, around 95 per cent is being exchanged while only 5 per cent is getting deposited in the account.
“We do not have any information if people are being paid Rs 300 or Rs 400 to get Rs 2000 notes exchanged. We are keeping official documents including identity cards and other documents for exchanging up to ten notes of Rs 2000. We maintain all documentary records along with CCTV footage,” the RBI Regional director said.
When asked whether it is an attempt to get black money converted into white, the RBI Regional Director said law enforcement agencies can investigate such issues.
“We keep all necessary records till the requisite preservation period as per the norms,” the top RBI official added.