Ensure security to banks, ATMs: Centre to states

New Delhi: The Union home ministry has asked all states to provide adequate security cover to banks, ATMs and vehicles transporting cash following demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The home ministry has also constituted a three-member team of senior officials who are in regular touch with the State Government to ensure proper safety for all banks, ATMs and vehicles transporting cash.

The ministry’s team is in constant touch with the director-generals of police and constantly monitoring the situation even though so far no major incident of violence or crime has been  reported from anywhere in the country.

The home ministry has also informed the states that in case they require any assistance, in terms of additional central police forces, these would be rushed immediately even at a short notice. Ministry officials said two separate advisories have been sent to the States in this regard and the feedback was that the situation was expected to normalise in the next four to five days.

Various state governments have informed the Centre that they have deployed adequate police personnel at all banks and ATMs to ensure that no untoward incident takes place even as large footfall has been witnessed at these places across the country.

Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Lucknow home minister Rajnath Singh said the decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes was a well-planned move and not taken in haste as he maintained it will go a long way in checking corruption in politics.

“Recently a decision to demonetise currency notes in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 has been taken. It surprised people not only in the country but the world over and will bridge the gulf between the poor and rich. People said the government has acted in haste and more time should have been given. I want to say that there had been no haste. It was a well-planned move. It has been taken after enough consideration about the future,” the home minister added.

Also speaking on the issue Union I&B minister M. Venkaiah Naidu lauded the government’s decision stating that the Prime Minister wants to realise “Swachchh Bharat”, in terms of “tan”, “man” and “dhan” (body, mind and wealth).

Mr Naidu said that while some people maintain the government has taken a sudden step of demonetising of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the government has been taking steps related to curbing the black money menace ever since it came to power.

“Some people are saying it was done all of a sudden, people should have been given advance notice...Advance notice for what? I am not able to understand,” he added.

The Minister said that the media while highlighting the inconveniences, should also show the larger picture on the benefits of the move for the country. He said some people were calling it an “emergency”, but those who are worried are people like unscrupulous arms dealers, drug dealers.