Collectors, SPs asked to ensure smooth operation of banks

With chaos prevailing in the state post the Prime Minister's demonetisation drive, the Odisha government today asked the district collectors and superintendents of police to ensure smooth functioning of banks which open tomorrow.

"We have asked the district collectors and SPs to make arrangement so that bank functioning is not affected due to rush," Finance Secretary T K Pande said after attending a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A P Padhi.

Padhi through video conferencing told the district collectors and SPs to deploy forces near petrol outlets, ornament shops, corporate houses and other places where heavy transactions were expected to take place.
 

Finance Secretary Pande said the people can get currency notes of Rs 100 and Rs 2,000 from tomorrow. The banks have stored more such currency notes for the benefit of customers. A person can exchange old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 worth Rs 4,000 a day by producing identification, Pande said.

Padhi said the banks are told to cooperate with people who do not bring xerox copies of their ID cards. The banks can note down their ID card number.

He said that banks are suggested to extend their banking hours till 6 pm in the evening.

Pande said the people should not panic by the demonetisation of the currencies. The Government of India has made it clear that the people can exchange their old currency with the new one in the banks.

Director General of Police K B Singh said he has received a call from the Union Home secretary in this regard.

"Due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes long queues of customers are expected in the banks, ATM counters, filling stations, hospitals and other places," he said.

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.

"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.