Punjab DGP asks officers to check counterfeit currency flow

Chandigarh, Jul 18 (UNI) The Punjab Police has been directed to effectively check the flow and circulation of counterfeit currency notes in the market as this could destablise the economy of the country.

These directions were given by DGP N P S Aulakh today while underlining the need to effectively check the flow of counterfeit currency in the state and described it as a major challenge for the internal security as well as the economy of the country.

He was presiding over a meeting of a state level committee constituted to deal with forge currency notes and their circulation.

Mr Lalit Srivastva, General Manager of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was also present in the meeting.

Mr Srivastva gave suggestions to check the circulation of fake currency notes and assured of every possible technical help required in this regard.

The DGP informed that the recovery of Rs 45.38 lakh fake currency notes in the state during current year (upto June 30 ) was an indication of the quantum of circulation of counterfeit notes and this was aimed to destabilise the economy of the country. Last year fake currency to the tune of Rs 84 lakh was seized, he added.

He asked the representatives from Reserve Bank of India to put forth their suggestions to check the growing menace of counterfeit currency and assured every possible help from the State Police. The field officers of the state police were directed to ascertain the source of fake currency to check its flow.

Regarding the media reports on the melting of currency coins on large scale, the DGP also emphasised the need to thoroughly probe this matter.

The Police Chief also directed that in case of a large recovery of fake currency the services of Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials should also be sought to investigate the wider ramifications.

Keeping in view the seriousness of the issue and to sensitize the field officials in this regard, a subject on detection and investigation of fake currency cases would be introduced in all training programs being conducted at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur as well as in the syllabus at district level training schools.

Mr Aulakh urged the senior bank officials to impress upon the branches of various banks in the State to strengthen their security arrangements by making installation of close-circuit-cameras and alarms at vital points. He also offered the services of recently trained youth of the state by the Punjab Police, for security related duties.

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