Don't panic, your hard earned money safe: Govt assures people

Finance Ministry also cautioned people against depositing the money of unknown people in their own accounts or falling prey to cheats

Assuring people that their hard earned money is safe, the Finance Ministry today said there is no need to panic and depositing junked Rs 500/1,000 notes of up to Rs 2.50 lakh in bank accounts will not be reported to the tax department.

It also cautioned people against depositing the money of unknown people in their own accounts or falling prey to cheats, thugs and rumour mongers.

Besides, the ministry said, farm income continues to remain tax free and can be easily deposited in bank.

Small businessmen, housewives, artisans, workers can also deposit cash in their accounts without any apprehensions, it added.

"Deposits up to Rs 2.50 lakh will not be reported to the Income Tax department. There will be no harassment or investigation. All honest citizen need not worry. Farmers' income is tax free and can be easily deposited in bank," the ministry said in newspaper ads.

In its biggest crackdown ever on black money, the government on Tuesday night announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and asked people holding such notes to deposit in bank accounts.

Since yesterday people have been thronging banks amid concerns among people over exchanging and depositing the scrapped high denomination currency.

People can deposit old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in their accounts till December 30, 2016, without any limit. Restrictions have been imposed on withdrawal limit and people can withdraw up to Rs 10,000 per day or Rs 20,000 per week. This limit will be reviewed after few days.

Besides, old notes up to Rs 4,000 can be exchanged at any bank or post office till November 24, 2016, by showing photo ID proof.

ATMs can be used to withdraw up to Rs 2,000 per day per card till November 18 and Rs 4,000 from November 19 onwards. This limit too will be reviewed subsequently.

The ministry also advised people to make payments using cheques, demand drafts, debit or credit cards and electronic fund transfers and there is no restriction on such transactions.