Demonetisation: Identity cards in demand in Bengaluru

Going by several of the slumdwellers they have been approached by agents of a few real estate barons and politicians seeking their ID cards.

Update: 2016-11-16 20:47 GMT
People wait for their turn to exchange demonitised currency notes at a bank in Bengaluru. (Photo: DC)

BENGALURU: As much as Rs 1,500 per ID card per day is  the latest offer received by the poor living in the slums of West Bengaluru like Shrirampuram and  Prakash Nagar. Going by several of the slumdwellers they have been approached by agents of a few real estate barons and politicians seeking their ID cards for exchanging their  black money at banks.

“Auto drivers, barbers and tailors are being offered cash incentives  to introduce these agents to families that are ready to make cash deposits of ' one lakh in their accounts for a commission of R 20,000,” said an auto driver from Prakash Nagar, adding, “BBMP engineers and corporators are using even the migrant labourers to deposit money.”

“These poor labourers are asked to surrender the deposit bonds after receiving them from the banks and are offered commission in old notes, which they find extremely difficult to exchange.”

Banks open today
Bank employees who were looking forward to a much deserved holiday on Thursday after sweating it out since the demonetisation exercise began a week ago, have been left disappointed with the state government cancelling the  holiday on Kanaka Jayanti. The government used its powers under the Negotiable Instruments Act to revoke the holiday given to banks. The objective is to help the common man withdraw money.

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