Scrapped notes pile up at HP shrine: Chintpurni temple saddled with old currency worth Rs 9.8 lakh

“Devotees are still dropping the scrapped notes of 500 and 1,000 in donation boxes along with new notes,” said temple officer Rania Ram.

Eight months after demonetisation and six months after the deadline to exchange old currency notes ended, the junked 500 and 1000 currency bills continue to find way into donation boxes at the famous shrine of Chintpurni in Himachal.

Recently on June 1, the temple priests found 203 old notes in the denomination of 500 while counting the cash offerings. (Representative image)

Devotees thronging the cash-rich temple continue to offer the old currency along with new notes. Till June end, the Chintpurni temple had received cash offerings worth 9.86 lakh in old notes even though the deadline for their exchange ended on December 31.

“Devotees are still dropping the scrapped notes of 500 and 1,000 in donation boxes along with new notes,” said temple officer Rania Ram. He said that from January till March end, the temple received 6.5 lakh in old notes. “In the next three months, the amount went up to 9.86 lakh,” said the temple officer.

Last year, four days after demonetisation, some people had attempted to exchange the banned currency worth lakhs with smaller denomination notes with the help of the temple officer and assistant temple officer, who were later suspended.

Recently on June 1, the temple priests found 203 old notes in the denomination of 500 while counting the cash offerings. The scrapped notes are continuing to fill up the donation boxes despite requests against doing so on the notice boards and close watch by the security staff.

Last year, four days after demonetisation, some people had attempted to exchange the banned currency worth lakhs with smaller denomination notes with the help of the temple officer and assistant temple officer, who were later suspended.