Just 12 buyers for Ambedkar commemorative coins

NEW DELHI: The year-long celebrations of Dr BR Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary have left commemorative coins worth almost Rs 34 lakh unsold. The commemorative coins, which come in an attractive hard-cover envelope priced at Rs 3,480, each, managed to find just 12 buyers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released the coins of Rs 125 and Rs 10 on December 6, 2015, as part of the anniversary celebrations. Hoping for massive sales, the social justice and empowerment ministry had put in an order of 1,000 packs, containing the two coins.

However, after a year 12 packets were sold. Most buyers were foreign nationals. At present Ambedkar Foundation, entrusted with the responsibility of selling the coins, has been saddled with 988 unsold commemorative coin envelopes.

According to a government representative, the Centre had mooted a proposal to distribute unsold coins free to members of Parliament. “A huge expense has been incurred by the government. So audit queries can be raised if anything is given free of cost, especially to MPs,” said a government representative.

Speaking to ET, social justice and empowerment minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, “we bought the coins in bulk because they are cast only once. We thought people would buy them. I hope the sales would pick up soon.” The minister denied that the coins would be distributed free to MPs.

The ministry, however, has no plans to advertise the availability of commemorative coins at Ambedkar Foundation. “No we won’t issue any advertisements. There are many people on Ambedkar Foundation board who attend the meetings. We hope they would spread the word around,” said Gehlot.

For Ambedkar Foundation, the coins are posing a bigger logistical issue. Housed in a temporary porta cabin on Janpath Road, foundation officials have to guard the expensive coins. With construction of Ambedkar International Centre underway next door, foundation officials have to seal the premises to keep the coins safe.