Piles of new currency notes with black marketers amidst shortage in Gujarat

According to a report by Sandesh, a severe shortage of new currency notes is currently being observed in Gujarat. While account holders are facing great difficulties in obtaining new notes from banks, reports have emerged suggesting that black marketers possess piles of new notes.

Common people have been put in a fix due to the increased demand for new notes during weddings, social functions, and auspicious occasions. As sufficient new notes are not available from banks, people are having to pay higher prices to obtain loose and new notes. There are also discussions ongoing regarding the collection of additional commission in the name of new notes.

Obtaining crisp new notes during the Diwali festival is a decades-old tradition. Distributing new notes as 'boni' to children or loved ones during Lakshmi Pujan, Chopda Pujan, and Besta Varas, as well as 'shagun' given by traders to employees, is a matter associated with social prestige. Despite the increasing trend of digital payments, there has been no decrease in the demand for cash for 'shagun' pouches.

Traders, industrialists, and common citizens from all walks of life are rushing to obtain new notes. Despite the shortage of notes in banks, questions have been raised as to how such a large number of new notes reached the black marketers. Questions are also being raised regarding the administration's functioning concerning the availability of new notes and this alleged black marketing.