Resentment over 'non-acceptance of 10-rupee coins by shopkeepers, banks' in Odisha

Resentment is brewing among people over non-acceptance of coins of Rs 10 denomination by vendors. Whether it is Berhampur or the districts of Rayagada and Koraput, not only shopkeepers, a few banks have also been accused of not accepting 10-rupee coins from customers.

Recently, Berhampur Action Committee submitted a memorandum to the Sub-collector in this regard.

When asked the reason for not accepting such coins, a Berhampur-based shopkeeper said, “When customers are reluctant to accept 10-rupee coins from us, then what is point of accepting 10-rupee coins from them.”

A customer said, “I gave 10-rupee coin and it was not accepted. Shopkeepers across the city are not accepting coins from us. Even I came to know that banks are not receiving such coins.”

A Koraput resident said, “Apart from vendors of southern Odisha, western Odisha vendors are not receiving Rs 10 coins.”

On the other hand, the Bhubaneswar regional branch of RBI clarified its stance saying “Don’t believe in any such rumours or misinformation. In order to create awareness, remove misconceptions and allay fears in the mind of the public, RBI issues press releases periodically urging members of the public to accept coins as legal tender in all their transactions without any hesitation."

According to RBI sources, so far the Reserve Bank has issued Rs10, Rs 20, Rs 1, Rs 2 and Rs 5 coin in different designs. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions. Besides, a person can pay coins worth Rs 1,000 at a time under Coinage Act 2011.

As per the RBI, all the banks have also been directed to follow RBI rules and receive coins from customers and action will be taken against banks that flout norms.