No substitute for Mahatma image on currency notes: RBI Committee

Earlier buzz was that images of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Sardar Patel could be considered for new notes

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An RBI-constituted committee has concluded that no personalities other than Mahatma Gandhi could fit the image to be inscribed on the currency notes, Parliament was informed.

"After due considerations, the Committee decided that no other personality could better represent the ethos of India than Mahatma Gandhi," minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

On advice of the Government, the RBI had constituted a Committee for designing future currency notes in October 2010.  

The Committee deliberated on the issue of changing the existing image of Mahatma Gandhi and inclusion of certain other personalities in the new design of banknotes, Meena said.

Earlier buzz was that images of late prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, late home minister Sardar Patel could be considered for new notes.

In pre-independent India, image of king of England used to be there on the notes. Post-independence, RBI had also experimented with natural figures. For instance, Rs two notes used to have image of tigers, deer used to adorn Rs 5, while image of elephant used to be inscribed on Rs 100.