Bhubaneswar: Taking note of the panic by the people due to the sudden announcement by the Centre on demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes last night, the Odisha government has decided to step up early measures to bring the situation under control.
Talking to media persons today, Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh said he has received a call from the Union Home secretary in this regard. “Due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes long queues of customers are expected in the banks, ATM counters, filling stations, hospitals and other places. Keeping this in view, all district Superintendents of Police have been instructed to provide necessary security and control the rush of customers in these places. In such situations, the duty of the police will be to manage the crowd,” he added.
He also informed that the police will also provide security to the people who come to exchange money. “I would request the people that whoever is coming to the banks with huge amount of cash for exchange, should inform the police in advance so that adequate security arrangement can be made,” the DGP said.
He said he has talked to the General Manager, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bhubaneswar, Prasad Das and senior officials of all nationalised banks in this regard.
Talking to the media, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said he is yet to receive formal advisory from the Centre. “But I am expecting it anytime. I will have a videoconferencing with all district collectors and SPs in the evening to discuss about the issue and sort it out,” he added.
Principal Secretary, Finance, Tuhinkant Pande said a meeting presided over by the chief secretary will be held to discuss technical issues relating to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. This will be followed by a videoconferencing with all district collectors and SPs to know about their clarifications as well as the problems faced by the people.
He, however, said the people should not panic by the demonetisation of the aforesaid currencies. The Government of India has made it clear that the people can exchange their old currency with the new one in the banks which will open tomorrow.
“But it should be our duty to understand the difficulties the people are facing right now so that we can find solution to their problems,” Pande pointed out.