PTI
NEW DELHI
To augment cash supplies, newly printed hard-to-fake ` 500 notes were also released in market.
After a review by Finance ministry, the limit of old and now defunct ` 500 and ` 1000 rupee notes that can be exchanged for freshly minted `  2000 and new ` 500 notes was increased from ` 4000 to ` 4500 per day.
Cash withdrawal limit at ATMs was hiked to ` 2,500 from ` 2,000 a day.
The weekly limit of ` 20,000 for withdrawal from bank counters has been increased to ` 24,000. The maximum limit of ` 10,000 per day on such withdrawals has been removed, the ministry said in a statement.
“Banks have been advised to increase the issuance and use of mobile wallets and debit/credit cards as also to provide them to those customers and establishments not having access to these non-cash means of payment,” it said.
Also, the last date for submission of the annual life certificate for the government pensioners which is to be submitted in November every year has been extended up to January 15, 2017. Finance Ministry reviewed the position regarding availability and distribution of notes of all denominations in different parts of the country.
Instructions have been issued to the banks and post offices to ensure proper distribution of all notes, including those of smaller denominations, up to the last mile through mobile banking vans and Banking Correspondents (BCs) to ease pressure.
While the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes were demonetised from the midnight of November 8, a brand new Rs 2000 note was introduced on November 10.
“In the first four days (from November 10th to 13th , upto 5 pm ), about Rs 3 lakh crore of old Rs 500 and 1000 bank notes have been deposited in the banking system and about Rs 50,000 crores has been dispensed to customers by either withdrawal from their accounts or withdrawal from ATM’s or by exchange at the counter,” the statement said.
Within three four days, the banking system has handled about 21 crore transactions.
Further based on the review of the reports received from the States, banks and other sources, the ministry decided that continuous coordination is to be done with RBI, banks and post offices to make all denomination notes available at all locations.
“Instructions have been given to the banks and post offices to ensure proper distribution of all denomination notes. Banks have also been especially advised to ensure the availability and distribution of small denomination notes,” it said.
Also, Chief Secretaries of the states have been asked to identify the rural pockets where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to ensure the last mile distribution of small denomination of notes is done through mobile banking vans and Banking Correspondents (BCs), the statement said.
NORMS EASED
Limit of ` 10,000 per day withdrawal removed
Withdrawals from ATMs increased from ` 2000 to ` 2500 per day
Exchange of over the counter limit increased from ` 4000 to ` 4500
Weekly limit of ` 20,000 for withdrawal from bank accounts increased to ` 24,000
Issuance of ` 500 notes commences
