An acute shortage of currency paper is a major trigger for the current cash crunch affecting the printing of Rs 2000, 500 and 100 notes as the government could not meet the shortfall post demonetization when new notes had to be hurriedly printed.
With little inflow of the currency paper the scarcity could not be compensated as there was a sharp drop in imports and even the indigenous manufacturing did not meet the demands, DNA has learnt from officials privy to the details. "Import of paper currency has fallen by 30 per cent. Nearly 20,000 tonnes of paper was needed to meet demands after demonetization but there is still a huge shortfall leading to a crunch," said a government official privy to internal reports.
The total requirement of paper currency is 25,000 tonnes but that has not been met, sources said. The Centre has not attributed any particular reason for the cash dearth as ATMs dried up in many parts of the country and said it's a temporary problem.
"Overall there is more than adequate currency in circulation and also available with the Banks. The temporary shortage caused by 'sudden and unusual increase' (in demand) in some areas is being tackled quickly," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a tweet. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that currency supply increased by Rs 45,000 crore in the first 13 days of April as there was unusual spurt in demand in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
There was already a slump in imports before demonetization and only 3500 tonnes was imported between April and October 2016 before the big announcement was made.
The gap further increased as the required currency paper was not available to make up for the deficit post demonetization when new currency was to be quickly pumped into circulation.
The decision put the old Rs 500 and Rs. 1000 notes out of circulation and was declared illegal replacing it with new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes.
After announcement of demonetization on November 8, 2016 the government had to ensure the currency requirement of Rs.17.5 lakh crore is met without any delay.
The Rs. 1000 note has still not been replaced even though it was expected to account for Rs.7 lakh crore of currency.
Rajeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services said there is a shortage of Rs 500 denomination bank notes but was hopeful of the situation improving within a week.
Sources also indicated that hoarding of notes of 2000 and 500 denominations is adding to the problem.
According to Finance Ministry adequate stock of currency notes of all denominations, including of Rs 500, Rs 200 and Rs 100 to meet any demand are being met.
The government said it is checking with banks and the Reserve Bank of India to ensure adequate supply of currency.
Official's privy to details said out of a total currency requirement of 17.5 lakh crore, Rs. 8 lakh crore was expected to be in 500 and 7 lakh crore in 1000 denomination post demonetization. The printing of new Rs. 1000 notes has not begun yet.
The remaining Rs 2.5 crore was to be met with Rs. 2000 notes.
Sources said initially there was a shortage in currency as the printing machines lacked the capacity to meet the increased demands.
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 "Cash Crunch")
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