Cash rush: Government sends teams for ear-to-ground reports

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According to an order issued by the Department of Economic Affairs, the teams will assess the availability of currency in bank branches, ATMs and post offices; facilities at bank branches and post offices for deposit, withdrawal and exchange of currency; and, status of calibration of ATMs to dispense the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes.

The teams will also assess the ground-level impact of the government’s decision on various sectors, such as agriculture, industry, transportation, traders, small businesses, informal sectors, etc.

“…teams of additional/joint secretaries/directors — with each team consisting of upto 2 to 3 officers for each state/UT, to visit states/UTs and report back to the government (on the) status of implementation of this decision. These teams may visit the states allocated to them for a period of at least two days and tour across the state during their visit. Each of the officers should visit different areas of the State/UT separately. The focus may be on rural areas,” reads the terms of reference drawn up by the DEA for the teams.

The chief secretaries of all states and the administrators of all Union Territories have been asked to facilitate the visit by the teams.