EC writes to Finance ministry not to use indelible ink in banks

Earlier on Wednesday, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das had announced the use of indelible ink on those exchanging the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in banks.

New Delhi, Nov 18: The Election Commission of India on Friday wrote to the Finance Ministry and expressed its objection to the use of indelible ink on fingers of customers who exchange money in banks in election-bound areas.

Earlier on Wednesday, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das had announced the use of indelible ink on those exchanging the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in banks.

While speaking to the media, Shaktikanta Das said it was noticed that the same people were coming back again and again to exchange notes, causing the long queues and creating hassles for genuine people to get their cash.

By-elections for the four Lok Sabha seats - Cooch Behar and Tamluk in Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal, Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh and Lakhimpur in Assam will be held on November 19.

As many as 8 assembly seats in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Puducherry will go to polls on the same day.

Although, the move has been widely criticised in some circles. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and condemned the demontisation move. She said that it showed that the government did not trust its own people.

OneIndia News