Demonetisation: Twitterati fumes as govt plans to use indelible ink for money exchange

But will this really stop multiple currency exchanges at banks?

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Many suggested that the move was quite insulting to the common people.

As a latest measure added to the demonetisation drive adopted by the government to curb black money, it was announced that indelible ink will be used to mark the fingers of those who exchange notes. The decision was announced on Tuesday (November 15) by Shaktikanta Das, Secretary Economic Affairs, to prevent repeated conversions.

While announcing the move, Das said there are the long queues outside banks and ATMs as many have been exchange money multiple times. He also said that because of these repetitive people, the exchange scheme has not been able to help those who really need it.

The sudden decision to abolish all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from November 9 has led to a financial crisis-like situation for many, and there have been some tragic fall-outs as well. The serpentine queues have angered many, and unfortunately even claimed a few lives. Though the announcement was hailed and lauded as a ‘surgical strike’ against black money, corruption and terrorism, as the woes of people increase, the temperament seems to be changing now.

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The decision to use indelible use on people, like the one used during elections, did not go down well with Netizens and Opposition leaders. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yet again slammed the government, saying the move shows “this govt distrusts the common people”. Veteran journalist Shekhar Gupta called the move “Currency rationing”.

People questioned how rational the move was as there is already a restriction in place on exchanging and withdrawal of currency notes. Twitter users also expressed their anger on the micro-blogging site, few said this was “madness” while some tried to deal with humour.

Sample some of the reactions here:

Dear Govt, it took 4.5 mths for the election ink on finger to go away completely. Pls dont introduce it for cash withdrawal too!

— Turquoizzze (@Turquoizzze) November 15, 2016

. @DasShaktikanta sir, ink can also be removed with chemicals. I suggest a permanent tattoo that says.. “mera baap chor hai”…

— Suryanarayan Ganesh (@gsurya) November 15, 2016

@DasShaktikanta who are u to ink people? First of all forcing ppl to stand in queue for their own money. U guys can’t execute anything.

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) November 15, 2016

Using #indelibleink for exchange is insulting your own people and treating everyone as fraud @PMOIndia

— Phani Potluri (@potluriphani) November 15, 2016

@Reuters but max change limit is only Rs.4500/- so how is that going to help

— Ram (@vram07) November 15, 2016

I have mendhi on my fingers, will the indelible ink show😉
What if I need more cash after the Rs.4000/- is spent

— Marcellus Dsouza (@MarcellusDsouza) November 15, 2016

It’s full blown financial emergency. We are in a huge crisis when they have to put indelible ink on people exchanging money.

— Sahad PV (@sahadpv) November 15, 2016

Its like the teacher couldn’t figure out who among his 10 students threw the piece of chalk on him so he punishes everyone. #IndelibleInk

— EleE (@yeh_kya) November 15, 2016

WTF is this ?? Multiple transactions is sometimes urgent.
https://t.co/anNrpv5gGj

— V A I B H A V 🇮🇳 (@vaibhav_future) November 15, 2016

Bureaucrats are coming out with new ideas every day. Didn’t they plan anything before hand? https://t.co/0Hs9mviRhR

— Indranil Chowdhury (@indranil74) November 15, 2016

Indelible ink for Rs-4000! Means u can’t cash for weeks thereafter? This is currency rationing. Tughlaqi states do this, not Kautilyan ones

— DEBKANCHAN MITRA (@DEBKANCHAN) November 15, 2016

Indelible ink for withdrawing cash is treating everyone like a thug. Goi geniuses are out of their wits

— Sid Verma (@sid_050175) November 15, 2016

From ‘Incredible India’ to ‘Indelible Ink’, BJP keeps changing it’s colors!
Incredible Chameleons Indeed!

— punjAAP !! (@AapKiQasam) November 15, 2016

#IndelibleInk implementation is getting stupider by the day!

— manishalakhe (@manishalakhe) November 15, 2016

Modi,
We’ll remember the indelible ink that put on our fingers in banks. We will recall this disgrace in 2019 when the ink is again put on🤘

— Sahil Prasad (@laxmi407) November 15, 2016