Rs 9 crore to be sent to Kinnaur, Lahaul today

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 18

To ensure that there is no shortage of currency following demonitisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes in the tribal areas, a sum of Rs 9 crore will be airlifted to the tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti tomorrow.

Keeping in mind the fact that during winters, the cash supply to the tribal areas might be hampered on account of snow, the state government today decided to airlift sufficient amounts of currency to meet the needs of the people. The helicopter of the state government will carry the cash chests to these places tomorrow morning.

A sum of Rs 5.50 crore will be flown to Pooh in district Kinnaur and Rs 3.50 crore to Kaza in Spiti area. A sum of Rs 12 crore has already been sent by road to Keylong to meet the needs of the people in difficult areas. Though there was sufficient amount of currency notes in these areas right now keeping in view the possible inaccessibility of these areas by road, the decision to airlift the money has been taken.

Chief Secretary VC Pharka today held detailed talks with the bank officials to ensure regular supply of currency to the tribal areas. “I have discussed the situation arising out of the demonitisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes with banks. There is sufficient cash reserve in the chests in these areas already but keeping in mind the winter season, more cash is being sent there,” confirmed Chief Secretary VC Pharka. He added that as and when there is need for more currency in the future, it will be met immediately.

CM Virbhadra Singh had also directed the officials to ensure that the currency requirement of the people residing in tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Pangi (Killar) is met. The people in the tribal areas stock up ration, oil, fuel and their other needs at home for almost four months before the winters set in and it snows heavily. State Bank of India and State Bank of Patiala have taken up the responsibility of ensuring sufficient supply of currency to the tribal areas, well in advance.