Demonetization is a term that has gained significant prominence in India since 2016. It all started when the Indian Government declared the demonetization of ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes on November 8, 2016. The goal was to increase digital transactions, encourage a cashless society, and reduce corruption, fake money, and black money.
However, with this, the government has also introduced the ₹2,000 currency notes. It was intended to quickly address the monetary demands of the economy. In the fiscal year 2018–19, the production of notes of 2,000 yen was stopped.
While demonetization sought to solve a number of socioeconomic problems, it was criticized on a number of fronts. Several analysts contend that the transition was detrimental to society’s underprivileged groups, who mostly relied on cash.
Being a bold and unprecedented move, demonetization has become an event that will always be etched in the memories of whoever experienced it. However, since then, it is always speculated that government might do another demonetization at any time.
RBI stops the circulation of ₹2,000 currency notes
Now, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its plan to remove the ₹2,000 currency notes from circulation. Soon, people started speculating that it might be another demonization. However, it is important to note that this time, notes didn’t lose their legal tender.
The RBI decided to discontinue the ₹2,000 currency notes for a number of reasons. One important factor is that the general people do not frequently deal with these currencies. Throughout time, the value of 2,000 currency notes has dropped. As of March 31, 2023, just 10.8% of the total quantity was made up of them.
Furthermore, it is believed that the supply of other currency values is sufficient to suit the general population’s needs. This decision is in line with the “Clean Note Policy” of the RBI, which aims to ensure that the general public may obtain notes of high quality.
The RBI governor emphasized that the removal of ₹2,000 currency notes will have no effect on economic activity
Regarding the impact of the withdrawal, Shaktikanta Das stated that it would have no effect on economic activity. He referenced his own observations and unofficial polls to support the restricted use of ₹2,000 notes in transactions. 89% of the ₹2,000 banknotes that were printed before March 2017 and were expected to last four to five years have reportedly reached the end of their useful lives, according to news agency PTI.
According to the report, the total value of these banknotes in circulation has significantly decreased from its peak of ₹6.73 lakh crore on March 31, 2018 (which accounted for 37.3% of all notes in circulation) to ₹3.62 lakh crore, constituting just 10.8% of all notes in circulation as of March 31, 2023.
Beginning on Tuesday, anyone will be allowed to deposit or exchange ₹2,000 notes until the RBI’s deadline of September 30. Ten notes can be exchanged at most once, and deposits of ₹2,000 or more will also be subject to the current requirement of presenting a PAN card. It is noteworthy that the State Bank of India has said that exchanging ₹2,000 notes would no longer require ID proof or requisition papers.
In preparation for the summer, the RBI has given banks instructions to ensure that branches have the necessary infrastructure, such as shaded waiting spaces and water fountains. Banks must also keep daily records of the deposits and exchanges of ₹2,000 notes. The governor did, however, suggest that the September deadline may be altered depending on the current situation.
RBI governor Shaktikanta Das has made it clear that there are no intentions to bring back ₹1,000. Das said that the RBI’s decision to remove ₹1,000 currency notes from circulation will have little effect on the economy. It is because it barely accounts for 10.8% of the currency in circulation during a press conference.
When questioned about the prospective return of ₹1,000, Das rejected the question as hypothetical. He said that there are no plans at the moment to implement such a policy. He emphasized that there are sufficient quantities of the current rupees (500 and 100) available to the general public, allaying concerns about the central bank’s ability to continue operating without the most valued rupee in India.
Das emphasized the system’s existing substantial supply of printed notes. He also pointed out that they are also accessible at the currency chests maintained by banks in addition to the RBI. He reaffirmed that despite the decision to remove ₹2,000 notes from circulation, they would continue to be considered legal money. He also asked people not to visit bank branches in a hurry, expressing confidence that this was not necessary.
Daylight robbery is not quite usual but it does not strike out the fact that it is highly possible. Many a time cases as such have surfaced online where normal people were robbed in broad daylight. Recently, the passengers in a taxi got robbed inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel in Delhi on Saturday afternoon.
Four men rob taxi passengers at gunpoint in broad daylight and here is what Delhi Police have to say
On Saturday, a delivery agent and his associate were robbed at gunpoint by a group of unknown assailants, stealing around Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh cash from them. In spite of having 16 security guards in the Pragati Tunnel, there were no CCTV cameras installed. Although the Public Works Department assured that cameras are installed, they did not confirm their operational conditions.
The victims made a complaint at Tilak Marg police station later in the evening. The Pragati tunnel is a 1.5 km tunnel that connects New Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan and Noida. The police said that following the complaint made by the victims, a case has been filed under Sections 397 IPC which covers robbery, or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt and 34 (common intention).
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pranav Tayal, has shared that the complainant can be identified as Patel Sajan Kumar and his associate Jigar Patel. Patel Sajan works as a delivery agent for a private firm in Chandni Chow and has informed the police that he and Jigar were going to Gurugram to deliver the cash to a client.
As per the registered complaint, the two of them hired an Ola cab from near Red Fort. As soon as the cab entered the Pragati Maidan tunnel from Ring Road, four assailants on two motorcycles surrounded their cab and robbed the cash off them keeping them at gunpoint.
Delhi Minister Atishi also took to Twitter and slammed the incompetency of the Lieutenant Governor. She tweeted,
LG साहब: अगर आपको @ArvindKejriwal के कामों का क्रेडिट लेने से फ़ुरसत मिले तो कभी अपनी संवैधानिक ज़िम्मेदारी पर भी ध्यान दीजिए। दिल्ली वालों को सुरक्षा देना आपका काम है। और अब दिन दहाड़े दिल्ली में चोरी, डकैती और क़त्ल की वारदातें हो रही हैं। या तो आप सुरक्षा की ज़िम्मेदारी लीजिए,… https://t.co/RG4c9ozWnW
Coming across train service complaints on social media is nothing new. Very often than not we find passengers complaining about bland food or bugs in the cooked food provided to them. Quite recently someone took to Twitter regarding a complaint where they found plastic in the railway food. But the latest thing that happened has actually stunned everyone when a video of the roof of a passenger coach train surfaced online.
Indian Railways slammed over water leakage in AC coach
Netizens have harshly criticized the poor management and maintenance of the train coaches after a surprising video surfaced online. Recently, a video went viral on social media platforms in which it can be clearly seen rainwater seeping in through the roof of the 2-tier AC coach of the Avantika Express. The Congress party also reshared the video uploaded by a passenger and took to Twitter to play the blame game immediately.
“काश खोखले प्रचार की जगह रेलवे के लिए कुछ काम किया होता। झंडी दिखाने वाले रेल मंत्री अभी विदेश में हैं, नाम वाले रेल मंत्री ध्यान दें। (Wish some actual work would have been done for the Railways in place of empty propaganda. The railway minister who shows the flag is currently abroad, the named railway minister should pay attention)”
काश खोखले प्रचार की जगह रेलवे के लिए कुछ काम किया होता।
झंडी दिखाने वाले रेल मंत्री अभी विदेश में हैं, नाम वाले रेल मंत्री ध्यान दें। pic.twitter.com/FNLvQL1Ihu
It was a jab at the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who recently flagged off 11 Vande Bharat Express, the Railways’ newest hi-tech train.
Railways response to the above-mentioned tweet
The Western Railway took to Twitter to respond to that tweet hours later and stated that all the coaches of the Avantika Express train were properly checked.
“All coaches of Avantika Exp have been checked thoroughly & issue has been attended to promptly. The train has commenced its return journey & there are no such issues now. Passenger convenience is of utmost priority & WR leaves no stone unturned to resolve passengers’ grievances”
All coaches of Avantika Exp have been checked thoroughly & issue has been attended promptly.
The train has commenced its return journey & there are no such issues now.
Passenger convenience is of utmost priority & WR leaves no stone unturned to resolve passengers’ grievances. pic.twitter.com/V9QyKiIowJ
Thandi hawa ke sath sath sarkar ne barish ke pani ka bhi anand lene ke liye ye nayab tarikib lagai hai isme bhrastachar bilkul nhi hai aur haa jine murko ke ye lgta hai isme amir log travel krte hai to unko ye bta du amir log plan me jate hai aur dikhave wale amir train me….🤐
— Mahua Moitra Fans (@MahuaMoitraFans) June 25, 2023
This is probably not the first time that something has happened as per the claims of this Twitter user,
Recently travelled from 12424 Rajdhani Express to #Guwahati , had a very bad experience. As it was raining the rainwater was leaking in every coach and also there was no water in most of the dirty toilets. TTE ignored the complaint and asked to register complaint via phone.
On Sunday, Shah Rukh Khan aka the King Khan, completed 31 years in Bollywood industry. It was in 1992, when he made his debut in the industry with the movie Deewana opposite late actress Divya Bharti. As the fans celebrated the big day on social media with amazing messages and tributes for the actor, SRK also decided to celebrate the occasion with his fans in his own style.
Shah Rukh Khan completed 31 years in Bollywood
He took some time out of his busy schedule and held an #AskSRK session on Twitter. Starting the question and answer session on Twitter, SRK wrote:
“Wow just realised it’s 31 yrs to the day when Deewana hit the screens. It’s been quite a ride mostly a good one. Thanks all and we can do 31minutes of #AskSRK ??”
In no time, his Tweet was flooded with a variety of questions from fans for their favorite actor. SRK, who is known for his hilarious sense of humor, gave amazing replies to his fans with wit and humor.
Wow just realised it’s 31 yrs to the day when Deewana hit the screens. It’s been quite a ride mostly a good one. Thanks all and we can do 31minutes of #AskSRK ??
While interacting with the fans, King Khan stumbled upon a question that was asked by a female fan, who is currently pregnant with twins. The fan came up with an epic Tweet for the Pathaan actor. She asked:
“sir i am pregnant with twin babies..wish me luck i will name them pathaan and jawan.”
sir i am pregnant with twin babies..wish me luck i will name them pathaan and jawan ❤️ #AskSRK 5
Besides all the funny and hilarious answers, SRK was also seen giving some serious answers. A fan asked him if he would do a movie like Swades again, a role that was loved by one and all
Talking about his work front, SRK made a comeback after a hiatus of 4 years with Siddharth Anand’s blockbuster action-thriller Pathaan, which hit the theatres in January this year. SRK will be next seen in the upcoming action-thriller Jawan, which will be released on September 7th.
Jawan is directed by South filmmaker Atlee. Produced under SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment, the movie also stars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles.