To begin with, the Reserve Bank of India, RBI has tried to do its part in making the lives of the visually impaired better. Considering the difficulties faced by the visually challenged in identifying bank notes, the apex bank in its bi-monthly monetary policy review statement said that it will explore the feasibility of developing a suitable device or mechanism that can help the visually challenged identify banknotes. The central bank said that it is doing this in consultation with various entities representing the visually challenged and it had issued necessary guidelines in this regard within six months.
Earlier, banknotes could not be differentiated by visually impaired people
Meanwhile, easing of the challenges faced by the visually challenged in using Indian banknotes, the Reserve Bank of India had been always sensitive to the many challenges that were faced by the visually challenged in conducting their day to day business with Indian banknotes.
Subsequently, while different fora had been consulted from time to time before making any abrupt changes in the Indian banknotes, the Reserve Bank is of the view that technological progress has opened up new vistas for making Indian banknotes more recognizable for the visually challenged and impaired, facilitating their day to day transactions, the central bank of India had retorted in one of their statements.
A PIL was filed in the Delhi high court which had alleged that the newly issues currency notes could not be differentiated by visually impaired people
Moreover, it may be recalled that few years back, a PIL was filed in the Delhi high court which it was alleged that the newly issued Rs 50 and Rs 200 currency notes cannot be differentiated from notes by visually impaired persons. Usually banknotes and coins have distinguishable identification features for the convenience of the visually-impaired. However, according to the PIL, the new Rs 50 and Rs 200 banknote does not have any such feature, except for its distinguishable size.
