Delhi HC asks government to examine Rs. 50, Rs. 200-notes
The Delhi High Court asked both the RBI and the Centre to review the newly released Rs. 50 and Rs. 200 notes. The court said that visually impaired citizens were facing difficulty in identifying and using the notes and hence, the notes needed to be revised. The Delhi High Court has asked for the Centre's view before the next hearing on 16th February.
Delhi HC asks involved parties to solve the issue internally
"This issue is something which needs to be resolved among yourselves. You (government, RBI and the petitioner here) sit together and sort it out," said the Delhi High Court bench.
Details of the Delhi High Court's order
The court was hearing PILs filed by three advocates, a company secretary, and NGO - All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB). A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar told the Centre and the RBI that visually impaired citizens were facing issues in using the new Rs. 50 and Rs. 200 notes owing to their size and tactile marks.
Tactile marks on notes to help the visually impaired
"This feature is in different shapes for various denominations. For example, a vertical rectangle denotes a Rs. 20 note, a square means Rs. 50 (in older notes), triangle and circle for Rs. 100," said advocate and petitioner Rohit Dandriyal, explaining tactile marks on notes.
Delhi HC bench questions design of new notes
The Delhi High Court bench asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain about who was representing the Centre. It further questioned the ASG regarding the size of the new notes and why the new notes couldn't be designed to be of the same size as old ones. The ASG said that the notes had been designed after considering every aspect.
