Banks not to ink fingers in by-poll areas of MP

The decision to ink the fingers of those who exchange demonetised currency in banks will not be applicable in two areas in Madhya Pradesh where by-elections are due on November 19, a poll official said on Wednesday.

Madhya Pradesh Joint Chief Electoral Officer M.S. Bansal told IANS on Wednesday, "In Shahdol Lok Sabha constituency and Nepanagar Vidhan Sabha assembly there will be no inking of fingers on exchange of notes till by-elections (November 19)."

"As of now, banks in metropolitans are inking fingers on exchange of notes and in the by-election areas it has been decided to not ink the fingers," Bansal added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 announced the demonetisation, effective that midnight, of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. Though there is a withdrawal limit on ATMs at Rs 2,500 and counter exchange limit at banks of Rs 4,500, many have succeeded in getting notes exchanged more than once by visiting different banks.

To curb this, the Central government on Tuesday announced that fingers of people who have exchanged notes will be inked.

Due to this decision, there was confusion in by-poll areas Shahdol Lok Sabha constituency and Nepanagar Vidhan Sabha assembly as people in these areas will already have inked fingers and will hence not be able to vote. Keeping this in mind, the banks of these areas decided not to ink fingers.

--IANS

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