Goverment looking into issues faced by foreign nationals post note ban

NEW DELHI: Government on Friday said it is looking into the difficulties being faced by foreign nationals and tourists following the scrapping of high value notes and will take remedial action based on the recommendations of a committee.

Minister of

State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal

said the Committee which was constituted to suggest remedial actions to mitigate the difficulties being faced by foreign tourists/ nationals post demonetisation of Rs 500/1000 notes has submitted its report.

"The committee has submitted the report and the recommendations are under the examination of the Government," he said in a written reply to the

Lok Sabha

.

Several diplomatic missions have communicated to the government difficulties they are facing with regard to cash crunch due to withdrawal limit enforced by the Reserve Bank.

Apart from Russia, other countries which raised the problems being encountered by them due to demonetisation included Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.

Meghwal further said that the government has taken various steps for the benefit of foreign tourists, who can exchange foreign currency up to Rs 5,000 per week.

"Further to avoid any inconvenience to foreign tourists, authorised persons were advised to issue pre-paid instruments to them in terms of the instructions issued by RBI in exchange of foreign exchange tendered," he added.

In a reply to a separate question on private hospitals seeking relaxation of rules for taking payments from patients post demonetisation, Meghwal said people can file complaints against those hospitals which refuse to take cheque/online payment.

"To safeguard the interest of patients at various hospitals members of the public have been advised that they can make complaints to the concerned district magistrates/ district administration for action against those hospitals which are not accepting cheques/demand drafts and online payment transfer mechanisms," he said.

Government had demonetised old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November 8. It however allowed their use at government hospitals and pharmacies on production of doctor's certificate till December 15.