Mumbai shrines refuse Rs500 and Rs1,000 note donations

Religious shrines in the city on Wednesday discouraged devotees from giving donations in Rs500 and Rs1,000 denominations

Religious shrines in the city on Wednesday discouraged devotees from giving donations in Rs500 and Rs1,000 denominations.

The Haji Ali dargah administration got attendants to stand near the donation box to keep an eye on the notes being put in the donation box. (HT File Photo)

The Haji Ali dargah administration got attendants to stand near the donation box to keep an eye on the notes being put in the donation box. “We accept the Prime Minister’s vision to check black money. We have stopped accepting all denominations banned by the Centre,” said Mohammad Ahmed Taher, administrative officer, Haji Ali Dargah.

Representatives from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temples at both Juhu and Girgaum said they had put up signboards at temples and pilgrim lodges asking devotees not to donate demonetised currency notes. “While we understand there will be a slight inconvenience for a brief period, it has long-term benefits,” said Shyam Gopeshwar Das, accounts department, ISCKON. “We are accepting Rs100 donations or below and room-bookings are being done only through credit cards.”

Jain temples such as Shri Chandraprabh Digambar Jain Temple, Bhuleshwar, and St Michael’s Church, Mahim, too followed suit. “We receive maximum donations on Wednesdays. We did not accept the scrapped notes at our canteen too,” said an administrative officer from the St Michael’s Church, Mahim.

Some temples and churches, however, accepted the banned currency. Members of the Siddhivinayak temple trust said it is impossible to monitor the donation box. “Currently, we are taking all such donations. Representatives from five banks count the currency every Monday. They will collect the donations, directly take them to the banks and put them in fixed deposits,” said Narendra Rane, chairman, Siddhivinayak temple trust.

Members from Our Lady of Salvation Church, Dadar (West) said they did not put a cap on their donations. “There is time till December 31 to give the notes to the banks. We have not stopped the devotees yet. We will decide when the time arises,” said an administrative officer.