Allow use of old currency for public utilities till Dec 30: Siddaramaiah to Jaitley

The CM advised Jaitley to include private hospitals, diagnostic labs, blood banks in the exempted list

The Opposition has stepped up its attack against the Narendra Modi government over demonetisation. While some are making sugestions to help citizens, others are demanding it to be rolled back

Jumping the guns is Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who wrote to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and suggested measures to help people.

Siddaramaiah said that the time limit for use of old currency for exempted categories of payments may be extended till December 30.

The government on Monday extended use of old defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for paying household utility bills, fuel, taxes, and fees and purchases from co-operative stores till November 24.

He also advised Jaitley to include private hospitals, diagnostic labs, blood banks in the exempted list where people can use Rs 500/1000 notes.

There have been long queues outside banks, ATMs with people waiting for six-seven either to deposit/withdraw cash or get their old notes exchanged.

The Chief Minister requested Jaitley to direct the concerned to increase cash supply to the cooperative banking sector as per their requirement.

Taking the nation by surprise, Modi on Tuesday night announced demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.