Passengers blink as MTC crew ‘demonetise’ Rs 10 coins

Sources said that ever since rumours made rounds two months ago, that ten-rupee coins were invalid, several bus conductors and even shop keepers did not accept the coins. “I boarded an MTC bus in Thiruvottiyur and was shocked, when the conductor refused to accept a ten-rupee coin stating that it is invalid. 

When I argued, the conductor yelled at me and he kept forcing me to get down from the bus. Since other passengers joined the debate, a couple of police personnel came to our rescue,” said K Rajendran, a worker in a private firm. They explained to the conductor that the coin was valid, after which he accepted it. Another MTC conductor admitted to the fact that rumours were rife about such incidents. 

“I learnt that a considerable number of MTC bus conductors are not aware of the fact that ten-rupee coin is valid. I am surprised why they refuse to accept the coin even after RBI’s assurance about its validity” he said. Worse still, shops too refuse to accept the coin. I was surprised when a petty shop refused to accept the coin. I sternly warned the owner and said, “If I apprise the police or court, legal action will be taken against you. It was then he relented and took the coin, said T Kannan, a resident of Iyyappanthangal.