Relief for common man, Govt extends deadline to use old notes till Nov 24

New Delhi: In respite for the millions who are scrambling across the country to exchange their old notes and pay their utility bills, the Government on Monday announced that old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes can to be used until November 24 for certain transactions.

“Exemption on old series of Rs 500, 1000 notes for certain categories extended till November 24 midnight,” said Shaktikanta Das, Economic Affairs Secretary.

The time limit to use old notes for paying household utility bills, fuel, taxes and fees as well as purchases from co-operative stores was set to expire on November 14 (tonight), but in a huge relief, the government has extended the deadline by ten more days.

The the government had allowed use of the old currency at government hospitals, railway ticketing, public transport, airline ticketing at airports, milk booths, crematoria/burial grounds and petrol pumps.

This list was later expanded to include payments for metro rail tickets, highway and road toll, purchase of medicines on doctor prescription from the government and private pharmacies, LPG gas cylinders, railway catering, electricity and water bills and ASI monument entry tickets.