Amid difficulties faced due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, a special counter has been opened for the foreign delegates participating at an ongoing global conference on tobacco conference here.
A special counter of State Bank of India has been opened at the India Expo Mart, where the Seventh Session of the Conference of Parties (COP7) to World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is taking place which India is hosting for the first time.
"There were some problems faced by the delegates participating in the conference due to the government's decision. That is why a SBI counter has been opened," a top Health Ministry official told PTI.
He said that the Ministry is also holding discussions with the local administration to make more facilities available to the foreign delegates so that they do not face problems.
"We are trying for some more facilities. It should be there by tomorrow at the conference venue," the official said.
The counter was opened today and would remain open from the morning till 5 pm at the venue, organisers said. Long queues were seen outside banks across the country and also at RBI counters for replacement of old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes as banks opened today after demonatisation of such bills by the government on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also today directed the Chief Secretary to ensure opening of extra counters for the foreign delegates to exchange currency in the state.
"The Chief Secretary should coordinate with banks and ensure opening of extra counters for foreign tourists in Agra and Varanasi. This will help them in exchanging their notes easily," Yadav said in his directive.
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