Demonetisation: Exemptions on paying public utility bills extended till Nov. 14

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move to scrap currency notes of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, the government on Friday decided extended the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured that there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to Bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.

While cancelling the legal tender character of the existing series of high denomination bank notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1, 000 denominations w.e.f. the expiry of November 8, exemptions were allowed for certain transactions for the first 72 hours with a view to minimizing inconvenience to the public.

"Considering various representations received from different quarters in the matter, it has now been decided that the existing exemptions may be extended until the expiry of 14th November, 2016, with the following modifications / additions to the existing exemptions," the release stated.

The exemptions on paying the public utility bills include

(i) Payment for court fees will be included in the exemptions.

(ii) The ID proof of customers will be required for transactions in consumer cooperative stores.

(iii) Payments towards utility bills will be restricted to only individuals / households for arrears and / or current bills. No advance payments will be allowed.

(iv) Payments in toll-plazas of the State and National Highways will be deleted from exemptions, considering that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is separately issuing instructions in this regard.