Odisha government today offered helicopter, vehicles and additional security cover to the Reserve Bank of India for transporting currency notes to remote regions of the state which are facing problems following the demonetisation of high value notes.
"The helicopter is ready. The state government would also provide fuel support. RBI can utilise the helicopter for transportation of cash to remote areas" Chief Secretary A P Padhi told the RBI at a review meeting here.
Padhi, who also urged the RBI to supply new high denomination currency notes like Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 to the districts where left wing extremism (LWE) has been contained substantially, said that the state government would provide all kind of security cover for transportation of money from the RBI's state headquarters in the state capital to remote areas.
The state government pointed out that the intensity of Maoist activities has substantially declined in Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Sonepur and Ganjam districts.
Therefore, the RBI should not hesitate to supply big currency notes in these districts, Padhi said adding that the situation in Malkangiri, Koraput and Kalahandi poses a challenge.
Of the 4462 un-banked Gram Panchayats, around 50 per cent have been extended, banking services specially cash dispersion through Banking Correspondents (BC) leaving a balance of around 2000 GPs, official sources said.
"With support of local administration and cash supply from State Bank, the branch post offices have started cash operations in around 1600 unbanked GPs," an official statement said.
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Padhi suggested banks and post offices should go for banking service without delay in remaining GPs.
Meanwhile, 124 petrol pumps in the state have also started cash disbursal and banks and ATMs have started giving new Rs 500 notes to ease the situation.
The state government has supplied list of 'Bank Mitras' to the Banks.
The Bank Mitras can help the banks in the service, they said adding that the Collectors have been advised to convene District Level Coordination meeting with banks and provide them all support for choosing and functioning of the Banking Correspondents.
"Old currency notes of around Rs 9000 crore have been exchanged in the state," said Padhi.
Meanwhile, as the need for more supply of new currency was felt, the state government urged the RBI to ensure that all
the places of the state get new notes as per demand.
The Post Master General, Bhubaneswar Circle present in the meeting said there is need of more money in Post office to make all the branch offices fully functional.
Nationalised banks also needed more currency to meet the demand.
