High time to resolve crisis, Supreme Court warns government

“This is very serious. This will require great consideration. People have become frantic, people are affected... There may be riots,” the Bench, also comprising Justice Anil R. Dave, voiced its apprehensions to Attorney-General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi. 

“Some measures are required. See the problems people are facing. People have to go to the high court. If we shut them from going to the high court, how can we know the magnitude of the problem. People going to different courts indicates the magnitude of the problem,” the bench said. However, the bench said, “People are frantic. People have the right to approach the courts,” noting that there are difficulties and “can you (the Centre) dispute”. The AG said there was no dispute, but the queues were getting shorter and even suggested that the CJI can go out during lunch time and see for himself.

From Saturday, as many as 40 petrol bunks in the state would dispense cash to a limit of Rs. 2,000 per person through debit cards. Out of 53,000 outlets across the country, 2,500 have been selected to implement this procedure. In Tamil Nadu, around 40 bunks have been chosen. K P Murali, President, Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association (TNPDA), said the purpose of choosing these outlets was to reach out to those who do not have banking access. “Chennai will have around 8-10 outlets but a larger number will be in the rural areas. From Nov 19, these specific dealers must go to the State Bank of India outlet nearby and collect the cash. They must use SBI machines to swipe the cards,” he said.

No Exchange: Banks on Saturday will not exchange the old 500 or 1,000 rupee notes for new bills, allowing only senior citizens to make the onetime swap for upto Rs. 2,000.