Bhubaneswar: With the prevalence of currency notes shortage after eight days of announcement of ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 across the country, the Reserve Bank of India office here today said new Rs 500 notes introduced by the Central government will be available at the selected branches of nationalised banks in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in the second half tomorrow.
Talking to newsmen, Sarada Prasanna Mohanty, General Manager at the RBI, Bhubaneswar, said, "Though I cannot tell how many Rs 500 currency notes have reached at the RBI office here today, the currency notes will be sent to some selected chests in the twin city tomorrow morning. Customers can get the new currency note at the selected branches of banks after the lunch hours. "
He added, "We are unable to send new Rs 500 notes to the selected chests in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar by today evening as declared earlier."
Asked about whether the new Rs 500 notes will be available at the ATMs, Mohanty said, "We have not received that many of Rs 500 notes, so that banks can keep them in their ATMs. However, after receiving the notes, the bank can calibrate their ATMs and supply them if they can manage"
"Let me mention that in comparison to the RBI offices in other States, the new Rs 500 notes have arrived in Bhubaneswar much earlier," he said.
Apart from the twin city, the RBI will send the new currency note to two or three places in western and southern odisha intially.
Mohanty further stated, “People can get the new Rs 500 currency notes at bank counters.”
He added, “Configuration of ATM machines has been going on to be able to dispense Rs 2,000 notes as of now whereas it will take some time for ATMs to provide for Rs 500 notes.”
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Asked about the talks of availability of fake Rs 10 coin in the market and banning of the coin, Mohanty said, “People should not believe such rumours. As of now, we do not have any such information and did not find fake coins yet.”
The retailers in the State have been asked to accept Rs 10 coin from customers, he informed.
Besides, the RBI has made arrangements for marking of non-erasable ink on a finger of people visiting banks to withdraw cash to avoid unnecessary rush.
The Central government has made facilities at post offices as well to help people get new currency notes.