Daringbadi: Residents of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal district are a worried lot as shopkeepers, auto-rickshaw drivers and even banks refuse to accept new Re 1 and Rs 2 coins.
Many people, especially the poor are facing a lot of difficulties due to this. “What do I do? Nobody else is accepting the coins,” everyone quips.
“Even some banks are not accepting these coins,” a local said.
A rumour of fake rupee coins being circulated has led to this situation, it was learnt. On the other hand, people face a lot of problems in buying groceries as shopkeepers are not accepting the coins. Forget about grocery, even a tea vendor is not accepting coins, a local Kali Baliarsingh of Sirkabarg said.
Earlier, Rs 10 coins were not accepted after a rumour did the rounds that fake coins were in circulation in the market. However, after clarification by the Reserve Bank of India, everyone started accepting the Rs 10 coins.
Locals have urged the banks to accept coins and spread awareness among people.
When contacted, Daringbadi SBI branch manager Kishore Chandra Sethy said he has not received any complaint on fake coins.
PNN