Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes valid for key utilities till November 14

NEW DELHI: The finance ministry on Friday said that the exemptions allowed for certain transactions through the now demonetised currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 have been extended till November 14 and that payment for court fees will be included in the exemption list. The exemptions were earlier provided for the first 72 hours after the decision on November 8 to demonetise the high value bank notes.

The exemption list included payments towards fees, charges, taxes and penalties payable to the central and state governments including municipal and local bodies. Such old notes will also be accepted for making payment of utility charges for water and electricity, etc.

“The government has been closely monitoring the implementation of the decision. Considering various representations received from different quarters in the matter, it has now been decided that the existing exemptions may be extended until November 14,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

Some modifications have been included in the list, it said. “Payments towards utility bills will be restricted to only individuals or households for arrears and/or current bills. No advance payments will be allowed,” the ministry said.

Further, identity proof of customers will be required for transactions in consumer cooperative stores, it said.

The government deleted payments in toll plazas of the state and national highways from the exemption list, as it extended suspension of toll collections on national highways till the midnight of November 14.

“There is enough cash with RBI. Supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs is being stepped up gradually,” the ministry said.

PM Narendra Modi had on Tuesday announced that the government was scrapping use of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to fight the problem of black money and terror financing through fake currency.