The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that the pensioners can withdraw more than Rs 10,000 from their bank accounts. However, uncertainties prevail whether 34 lakh beneficiaries under different social security measures will get their dues at appropriate time.
RBI, Bhubaneswar, General Manager SP Mohanty said the banks have enough currency notes to meet the customers’ demands and the banks have been directed to allow the pensioners to withdraw more than Rs 10,000 cash on a single day.
The RBI has ensured availability of notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 100 denominations in Maoist-prone areas also, said Mohanty.
Steps are also being taken to provide mobile bank facilities in the areas where banking services are not available, he said.
However, the distressed people covered under different social security schemes like old age pension, widow pension and disabled person aid are apprehensive over the payment.
“As these people get only Rs 300 a month as pension, we are not sure where the State Government can arrange Rs 100 currency notes worth Rs 135 crore for payment this month,” said a senior official at the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Chief Secretary AP Padhi had asked the Secretaries of all departments to point out the problems they are facing due to demonetisation. Finance Principal Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey has sought extension of time for implementation of demonetisation. Meanwhile, public continued to face harassment as ATMs betray them at many places, including the State capital here. long queues were witnessed at bank branches on Sunday for the fourth consecutive day across the State.
Tourists and foreign nationals also faced the brunt of the demonetisation exercise.
Meanwhile, the Department of Posts decided to keep post offices in all States, including Odisha, open on Sunday.
However, there is acute shortage of Rs 100 notes both in banks and post offices.