In spite of the fact that New Delhi and Dhaka have zero tolerance over smuggling of fake India currency notes, top brass in the Home Ministry have expressed serious concern over circulation of such currency along the border states.
Unabated circulations of fake currency notes have set alarm bells ringing in New Delhi. According to the government records, Rs 90, 74,610 fake Indian currency notes have been seized in Assam from last year till June this year. These include new and old fake Indian currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 50 denominations.
“All these fake notes have been pumped into Assam from across the border,” said a senior home ministry official.
However, it’s not only in Assam, security agencies in a few other northeastern states have also seized fake Indian currency notes during the same period.
Though minimal, Rs 6000 fake India currency notes have been seized from Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 78800 fake India currency from Manipur, Rs 10063200 fake India currency from Mizoram, Rs 24400 fake India currency from Nagaland and Rs 3500 fake India currency have been seized from Tripura.
However, a total of Rs 13, 86, 85,120 fake India currency notes have been seized from across India from last year till June this year. “FICN of face value of Rs 13.87 crores have been seized in the states bordering Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” the official said.
Intelligence and security agencies keep a close watch on the elements involved in the circulation of fake currency in the country and take action on any reported violation of law.
“FICN Coordination Group (FCORD) has been formed by the MHA to share intelligence and information among the different security agencies of the state and centre to counter the problem of circulation of fake currency notes in the country.
“A Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell (TFFC) has also been constituted in NIA to investigate terror funding and fake currency cases,” the home ministry official said.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between India and Bangladesh to prevent and counter smuggling and circulation of fake currency notes.
“We have also emphasized on strengthening the security at the international borders by using new surveillance technology, deploying additional manpower for round the clock surveillance, establishing observations posts along the international border, erection of border fencing and intensive patrolling,” the official added.