Courtesy: The Hindu

Anti-xeroxing security feature introduced in currency notes of various denominations 

• RBI reviewing security features on all notes
• 25 paise and 50 paise coins are legal tender
• RBI steps up efforts to improve customer service

Bangalore, Jan 26: To check forgery and circulation of counterfeit notes, the Reserve Bank of India recently introduced an "anti-xeroxing" security feature in Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes.

Announcing this after inaugurating `Nanyadarshini - 2006,' an all-India exhibition of coins and currencies here on Wednesday January 25, Regional Director of RBI Devaki Muthukrishnan said slides of the new security features would be displayed at the exhibition for the benefit of people.

Awareness campaign

"We at RBI are taking a number of anti-counterfeiting measures. While the enforcement agencies are dealing with culprits circulating fake notes, RBI has been continuously reviewing the security features on all notes," she said.

Devaki Muthukrishnan pointed out that the Reserve Bank had been carrying out public awareness campaigns on security features of notes through print and the electronic media. "We have put up a stall at the exhibition especially for this purpose. I have asked the staff posted there to run the slides on a video screen and also explain the features to the visitors," she said.

Assertion of rights

Clarifying that the coins of 25 paise and 50 paise were legal tender, Ms. Devaki Muthukrishnan wanted people to assert their right to get the appropriate change and not accept other goods in return for the balance amount due to them.

"We are separately advising the banks and other utility agencies such as Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and post offices not to show any reluctance in accepting these lower denomination coins," she said.